Gillis Boy

Popularity: — · Trend: → Stable

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.

GideonGavinGrahamGalenGarethGordon

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.

GilesGideonGalenGavinGilbertGrahamGordonGioGioiaGino

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gillis was first seen in the United States in 1900.

Gillis has ranked as high as #3678 nationally, which occurred in 1951, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, 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.

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 Total Births Boy
2001 6 6
1985 5 5
1982 5 5
1979 7 7
1976 5 5
1974 8 8
1971 5 5
1968 5 5
1967 8 8
1965 7 7
1964 10 10
1963 13 13
1961 10 10
1960 8 8
1959 10 10
1958 10 10
1957 8 8
1956 14 14
1955 15 15
1954 10 10
1953 13 13
1952 13 13
1951 20 20
1950 14 14
1949 11 11
1948 13 13
1947 9 9
1946 8 8
1945 17 17
1944 16 16
1943 11 11
1942 15 15
1941 11 11
1940 9 9
1939 12 12
1938 10 10
1937 9 9
1936 6 6
1935 9 9
1934 12 12
1933 16 16
1932 16 16
1931 14 14
1930 13 13
1929 10 10
1928 14 14
1927 12 12
1926 11 11
1925 12 12
1924 12 12
1923 20 20
1922 18 18
1921 14 14
1920 15 15
1919 17 17
1918 12 12
1917 8 8
1916 18 18
1915 18 18
1913 8 8
1912 12 12
1911 5 5
1909 5 5
1900 5 5

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. 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
KY 6
55%
TX 5
45%