Save Gender Masculine Usage Popular Culture Pronounced Pron. /ɡɹɪnt͡ʃ/(English) [key·simplify] Meaning & History Possibly from French grincheux meaning "grumpy". This is the name of a green humanoid character created by author Dr. Seuss, first appearing in his 1957 children's book 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas!'.