Hillel
Hillel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Greatly praised or praising.
Origin and history
Hillel is a traditional Hebrew masculine name meaning 'greatly praised'. It is famously associated with the ancient Jewish scholar Hillel the Elder, a pivotal figure in rabbinic history. In the United States, it remains a distinctive choice used primarily within Jewish communities.
Popularity in the United States
1,453 babies in the United States have been named Hillel since 1880. It ranks #3274 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1703.
States where it is most popular
- NY (84.7 %)
- NJ (14.1 %)
- CA (0.61 %)
- MD (0.61 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 14 |
| 1930-1940 | 46 |
| 1940-1950 | 33 |
| 1950-1960 | 73 |
| 1960-1970 | 77 |
| 1970-1980 | 115 |
| 1980-1990 | 151 |
| 1990-2000 | 161 |
| 2000-2010 | 248 |
| 2010-2019 | 306 |
| 2020-2029 | 224 |
Famous people named Hillel
- Hillel Slovak: Musician, Guitarist
- Hillel Steiner: Philosopher, Academic
Fun facts
- Hillel the Elder was a famous Jewish religious leader whose teachings formed the basis of Much of the Mishnah and Talmud.
- The international Jewish campus organization Hillel International is named in honor of the ancient sage.