Gil Boy

Popularity: #918 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GIL /ɡɪl/

Origin: Hebrew; Irish

Meaning: Hebrew: 'joy'; Irish: 'servant'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gil has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "gil" (גִּיל), which means "joy" or "rejoicing." This Hebrew term has been carried through various linguistic transformations, influencing its adoption in other languages. The name made its way into English through the Latin form "Gillus," which was used in early Christian texts and later adopted into Old French as "Gille." The transition into English occurred during the medieval period, where it became associated with various historical and cultural figures.

Historically, the name Gil is often linked to biblical figures, particularly in the context of the Old Testament. One notable reference is to Gil, a descendant of the tribe of Judah, mentioned in genealogical lists.

The name's significance in Jewish culture is further underscored by its use in various religious texts, including the Hebrew Bible. In the Christian tradition, the name has been associated with saints and martyrs, contributing to its enduring presence in religious contexts throughout the centuries.

Culturally, the name Gil has resonated in various traditions, symbolizing joy and celebration. Its associations with happiness and festivity have made it a favored choice in many cultures.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Gilly" have emerged, often used affectionately. The name's historical and cultural significance has allowed it to maintain a presence across different eras, reflecting a continuity of meaning that resonates with themes of joy and community.

Famous people named Gil

In this section, you will find notable people named Gil. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Gil who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Gil who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Gil Scott-Heron was a musician and poet best known for Pieces of a Man, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, and Winter in America.

Fictional characters named Gil

The following list of fictional characters named Gil is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Gil is a fictional character from the animated film Finding Nemo. He is a wise and experienced fish who helps Nemo escape from a fish tank.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gil, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MaxSamLeoBenEliJake

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gil. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

GideonGilbertGillianGinoGrahamGalenGio

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gil was first seen in the United States in 1914.

Gil has ranked as high as #1564 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Gil has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Gil is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gil was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gil.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 20 20
2024 27 27
2023 31 31
2022 22 22
2021 18 18
2020 23 23
2019 27 27
2018 29 29
2017 34 34
2016 32 32
2015 32 32
2014 32 32
2013 24 24
2012 37 37
2011 33 33
2010 40 40
2009 34 34
2008 51 51
2007 44 44
2006 67 67
2005 42 42
2004 56 56
2003 47 47
2002 41 41
2001 40 40
2000 47 47
1999 37 37
1998 55 55
1997 50 50
1996 67 67
1995 48 48
1994 40 40
1993 49 49
1992 59 59
1991 52 52
1990 51 51
1989 50 50
1988 47 47
1987 52 52
1986 36 36
1985 44 44
1984 67 67
1983 49 49
1982 52 52
1981 50 50
1980 61 61
1979 41 41
1978 51 51
1977 50 50
1976 55 55
1975 49 49
1974 48 48
1973 45 45
1972 54 54
1971 68 68
1970 55 55
1969 63 63
1968 48 48
1967 76 76
1966 71 71
1965 91 91
1964 107 107
1963 109 109
1962 115 115
1961 121 121
1960 99 99
1959 118 118
1958 115 115
1957 124 124
1956 94 94
1955 74 74
1954 100 100
1953 92 92
1952 78 78
1951 68 68
1950 52 52
1949 62 62
1948 55 55
1947 55 55
1946 40 40
1945 43 43
1944 31 31
1943 21 21
1942 30 30
1941 17 17
1940 27 27
1939 21 21
1938 18 18
1937 21 21
1936 14 14
1935 15 15
1934 20 20
1933 14 14
1932 7 7
1931 18 18
1930 12 12
1929 15 15
1928 25 25
1927 11 11
1926 10 10
1925 5 5
1924 11 11
1923 7 7
1922 8 8
1921 12 12
1920 10 10
1919 10 10
1917 5 5
1916 12 12
1914 12 12

Top States for Gil (2023)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 11
100%