Gillis Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GIL-iss //ˈɡɪl.ɪs//
Origin: Dutch; Scottish
Meaning: Dutch: servant of the church; Scottish: youthful
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gillis has its roots in the Greek name 'Aegidius,' which is derived from the Greek word 'aegis,' meaning 'protection' or 'shield.' This name was Latinized as 'Aegidius' and later adapted into Old French as 'Gilles.' The transition into English occurred during the medieval period, particularly through the influence of the Normans, who brought the name to England in the 11th century. The name Gillis is often considered a diminutive or variant of Gilles, which itself became popular in various forms across Europe.
Historically, the name Gillis is associated with Saint Giles, a prominent figure in Christian hagiography. Saint Giles, who lived in the 7th century, was known as a hermit and is venerated as the patron saint of the disabled and the poor.
His influence spread throughout Europe, particularly in France and England, where numerous churches and towns were named in his honor. The cult of Saint Giles contributed to the name's popularity in the medieval period, especially after the establishment of the feast day dedicated to him in the 8th century.
Culturally, the name Gillis has been linked to themes of protection and guardianship, resonating with the original meaning of its Greek roots. It has been used in various literary and historical contexts, often symbolizing strength and support.
The name's enduring presence in different cultures reflects its adaptability and the reverence associated with its historical figures. While Gillis may not be as widely recognized today, its historical significance and connections to Saint Giles have solidified its place in the tapestry of European naming traditions.
Famous people named Gillis
In this section, you will find notable people named Gillis. 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 Gillis who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Gillis 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.
Gillis G. H. is a Canadian artist best known for his work in contemporary art and installations.
Gillis K. is a Dutch author best known for his novels and contributions to literature.
Fictional characters named Gillis
The following list of fictional characters named Gillis 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.
Gillis is a fictional character from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. He is a key character in the game, often serving as a guide or mentor to the protagonist Link.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gillis, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gillis. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Gillis was first seen in the United States in 1900.
Gillis has ranked as high as #890 nationally, which occurred in 1923, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Alabama, and Louisiana.
In the past 5 years the name Gillis has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Gillis 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 Gillis was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Gillis (1951)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| KY | 6 |
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 Gillis.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1979 | 7 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1974 | 8 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1967 | 8 |
| 1965 | 7 |
| 1964 | 10 |
| 1963 | 13 |
| 1961 | 10 |
| 1960 | 8 |
| 1959 | 10 |
| 1958 | 10 |
| 1957 | 8 |
| 1956 | 14 |
| 1955 | 15 |
| 1954 | 10 |
| 1953 | 13 |
| 1952 | 13 |
| 1951 | 20 |
| 1950 | 14 |
| 1949 | 11 |
| 1948 | 13 |
| 1947 | 9 |
| 1946 | 8 |
| 1945 | 17 |
| 1944 | 16 |
| 1943 | 11 |
| 1942 | 15 |
| 1941 | 11 |
| 1940 | 9 |
| 1939 | 12 |
| 1938 | 10 |
| 1937 | 9 |
| 1936 | 6 |
| 1935 | 9 |
| 1934 | 12 |
| 1933 | 16 |
| 1932 | 16 |
| 1931 | 14 |
| 1930 | 13 |
| 1929 | 10 |
| 1928 | 14 |
| 1927 | 12 |
| 1926 | 11 |
| 1925 | 12 |
| 1924 | 12 |
| 1923 | 20 |
| 1922 | 18 |
| 1921 | 14 |
| 1920 | 15 |
| 1919 | 17 |
| 1918 | 12 |
| 1917 | 8 |
| 1916 | 18 |
| 1915 | 18 |
| 1913 | 8 |
| 1912 | 12 |
| 1911 | 5 |
| 1909 | 5 |
| 1900 | 5 |