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Grant Name Meaning: History, Nicknames & Origin

Updated

Grant Overview

  • Meaning: Grant is derived from the Latin grandis, which gave way to the French graund. Both of these words mean “tall” or “large.”
  • Gender: Grant is a popular boy’s name in most English-speaking countries. It doesn’t have an explicit female variation.
  • Origin: Grant originated from the French word graund and the Latin grandis.
  • Pronunciation: “GRANT”
  • Popularity: Grant currently sits at 212th place in the United States. It reached its peak popularity in 1997 when it was the 115th most popular baby name.
  • Variations: Grand, Grandt, Grante, Grente.
  • Namesakes: Grant Achilles, Grant Bowler, Grant Crabtree, Grant Dawson.

What Does Grant Mean?

Grant is a boy’s given name that means “tall” or “large” in French. Although it started as a surname, it eventually gained popularity as a nickname and given name. Today, Grant is a popular surname and given name.

What Is the Origin of the Name Grant?

Grant’s origins go back to the French word graund, which means “tall,” “large,” “big,” or other variations of the same. Graund derived from the Latingrandis, which gave way to other “large” words, including “grandiose” and the Spanishgrande (1).

Before Grant became a given name, many people used it as a nickname for people who had an imposing presence or were physically larger than average. Over time, Grant became less associated with size and more with demeanor. Grant denotes strength, level-headedness, and intelligence.

How Popular is the Name Grant?

Grant has been consistently very popular since the start of the 20th century. In 1900, it ranked 218th. Over the next century, it fluctuated slightly, hitting a low of 335th in 1911. However, as the 20th century progressed, Grant stayed in the mid-high 200s and low 300s.

Starting in the 1990s, Grant picked up in popularity. The name started the decade at 182nd place and continued to climb before peaking in 1997 at 115th place. Today, Grant remains very popular, holding the 212th spot (2).

How Do I Pronounce Grant?

Grant is pronounced “GRANT” in American English and “GRAANT” in British English.

Is Grant a Boy or Girl Name?

Grant is traditionally a boy’s given name. It doesn’t have a female equivalent, although some names, such as Grace, are similar.

Variations of Grant

Grant traces back to the Latin word grandis. However, it’s most prevalent in western Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Here are a few variations of Grant you might find throughout the world.

  • Grand (Germanic)
  • Grandt (Germanic)
  • Grante (Old/Middle English)
  • Grente (Old/Middle English)

Similar Names to Grant

Since Grant is such a popular name, you might want to find something more unique for your baby. However, if you like the solid nature of Grant, consider some of these names in its place.

  • Brant
  • Brent
  • Brian
  • Bryan
  • Bryant
  • Gavin
  • Graham
  • Greg
  • Everett

Middle Names for Grant

Grant is a solid first name that evokes images of intelligence and strength. You’ll need to find the perfect middle name to match that strength. Here are a few options to consider when choosing Grant’s middle name.

  • Alexander
  • Christopher
  • Douglas
  • Edward
  • Joseph
  • Lucas
  • Marcus
  • Matthew
  • Theodore
  • Thomas
  • William

Sibling Names for Grant

When naming your children, it’s normal to want their names to complement one another. Here are a few names to consider when choosing sister or brother names for your baby Grant.

Sister Names for Grant

  • Amanda (Mandy)
  • Anabelle (Ann, Annie, Ana, Bella)
  • Bethany (Beth)
  • Christine (Chrissy, Chris, Christy)
  • Emmeline (Emmie, Emma, Em)
  • Eveline (Evvie, Evy)
  • Jennifer (Jen, Jenn, Jenny)
  • Jessica (Jess, Jessie)
  • Lauren
  • Miranda

Brother Names for Grant

  • Alexander
  • Blake
  • Dylan
  • Edward (Ed, Eddie)
  • Jacob (Jake)
  • Patrick (Pat)
  • Reginald (Reg, Reggie)
  • Robert (Bob, Bobby, Rob)
  • Stephen (Steve, Stevie)
  • Theodore (Theo, Ted, Teddy)
  • William (Will, Bill, Willy, Billy)

Famous People Named Grant

Grant is a common given name, so it’s not surprising there are so many famous people who bear it. Here’s a brief list of famous faces named Grant.

  • Grant Achilles: American baseball coach.
  • Grant Bowler: New Zealand-Australian actor.
  • Grant Crabtree: Canadian cinematographer.
  • Grant Dawson: American mixed martial artist.
  • Grant Freckelton: American visual effects artist.
  • Grant Gallagher: Scottish footballer.
  • Grant Macaskill: Scottish scholar.
  • Grant Nicholas: Welsh musician.
  • Grant Orchard: British animator.
  • Grant Robins: English swimmer.
  • Grant Stevenson: Canadian ice hockey player.
  • Grant van Heerden: South African cricketer.

Grant in Popular Culture

Grant isn’t as prevalent in pop culture as it is in real life. Here are a handful of fictional characters named Grant you can find on TV, in movies, and in books.

  • Grant Brody: A character in the video game Far Cry 3.
  • Grant Devon: A character on TV’s Famous in Love.
  • Grant Loud: A character in An American Family.
  • Grant Mitchell: A character on Australian soap Home & Away.
  • Grant MacLaren: A character on TV’s Travelers.
  • Grant Ward: A character in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Grant FAQs

Do you still have questions about Grant? Here are the answers to some common questions about this highly popular name.

How Popular Is the Surname Grant?

Grant is a popular surname in those with English, French, and Scottish ancestry. As of the 2010 United States Census, Grant was ranked 196th in the country on a list of surnames.

It’s also the 10th most popular surname in Jamaica (3).

Is Grant a Girl’s Name?

Traditionally, Grant is a boy’s name. Although there are girls named Grant, it’s pretty uncommon. Instead, you’ll likely find girls with similar names, such as Grace.

Is Grant a Unique Name?

Grant is not a unique name. If you want to choose a popular, easy-to-pronounce name for your child, Grant is perfect. However, if you’re seeking something more unusual, you might want to expand your search somewhat.

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