Hillary
Hillary is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Cheerful, merry, or joyful.
Origin and history
Hillary is derived from the Latin name Hilarius, which originated from the Greek word 'hilaros' meaning cheerful or joyful. Historically used as a masculine name in Christian antiquity and medieval England, it evolved into a rare given name for boys in the modern United States. In recent decades, the name has become overwhelmingly associated with female usage in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
1,262 babies in the United States have been named Hillary since 1880. It ranks #3436 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- LA (95.2 %)
- NY (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 11 |
| 1890-1900 | 20 |
| 1900-1910 | 26 |
| 1910-1920 | 117 |
| 1920-1930 | 192 |
| 1930-1940 | 141 |
| 1940-1950 | 158 |
| 1950-1960 | 187 |
| 1960-1970 | 141 |
| 1970-1980 | 119 |
| 1980-1990 | 102 |
| 1990-2000 | 31 |
| 2000-2010 | 17 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Hillary
- Hillary Belloc: Writer, Historian
Nicknames
Hill, Hillie
Fun facts
- Although predominantly used for females today, Hillary originated as a traditional masculine name borne by early Christian bishops.
- The name shares its etymological origin with the English word 'hilarious'.