Gillian
Gillian is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Youthful or devoted to Jove.
Origin and history
Gillian is a classic English name derived from the Latin Juliana, ultimately tracing back to Julius. It gained prominent use in medieval England and has enjoyed steady, moderate popularity in the United States over the decades. Today, it remains a familiar yet moderately uncommon choice for girls.
Popularity in the United States
16,059 babies in the United States have been named Gillian since 1880. It ranks #1216 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1796.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.3 %)
- NY (14 %)
- TX (6.3 %)
- PA (5.8 %)
- NJ (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 5 |
| 1930-1940 | 12 |
| 1940-1950 | 128 |
| 1950-1960 | 234 |
| 1960-1970 | 758 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,329 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,384 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,152 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,489 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,263 |
| 2020-2029 | 305 |
Famous people named Gillian
- Gillian Anderson: Actress
- Gillian Flynn: Author, Screenwriter
- Gillian Welch: Musician, Singer-Songwriter
Nicknames
Gill, Jill, Gillie
Fun facts
- The classic nursery rhyme character Jill was originally spelled Gillian in earlier medieval English printings.
- While Jillian became the more common modern spelling in the United States, Gillian remains the traditional English form.