Gilman Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GIL-mən //ˈɡɪl.mən//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'God is my strength'; English: 'son of the servant'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gilman has its roots in Old English and Old Norse, deriving from the elements 'gīe' meaning 'spear' and 'mann' meaning 'man'. This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of 'spear man' or 'man with a spear'.
The name entered the English language through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it was influenced by the Old French form 'Guilman', which itself evolved from the Germanic roots. As a result, Gilman reflects a blend of linguistic traditions that highlight the historical interactions between the Anglo-Saxon and Norman cultures in England.
Historically, the name Gilman has been associated with various notable figures and families, particularly in medieval England. One significant milestone is the mention of the name in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror.
This document provides evidence of early bearers of the name, indicating its presence in the social fabric of the time. Additionally, the name has been linked to various landowners and local gentry throughout the centuries, contributing to its historical significance in English heritage.
Culturally, the name Gilman has resonated through literature and tradition, often symbolizing strength and valor due to its martial connotations. The name has been used in various literary works and has appeared in historical records, reinforcing its association with noble qualities.
Furthermore, diminutive forms such as Gil or Gilly have emerged over time, reflecting the name's adaptability and continued relevance in different contexts. Overall, Gilman encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance that has endured through the ages.
Famous people named Gilman
In this section, you will find notable people named Gilman. 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 Gilman who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Gilman 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.
Gilman Louie is a businessman best known for founding In-Q-Tel and his work in venture capital.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gilman, 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 Gilman. 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 Gilman was first seen in the United States in 1887.
Gilman has ranked as high as #839 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Maine, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
In the past 5 years the name Gilman has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Gilman 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 Gilman was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Gilman (1953)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| ME | 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 Gilman.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1969 | 7 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1965 | 6 |
| 1964 | 6 |
| 1962 | 6 |
| 1961 | 13 |
| 1960 | 11 |
| 1959 | 5 |
| 1957 | 14 |
| 1956 | 6 |
| 1955 | 11 |
| 1954 | 9 |
| 1953 | 18 |
| 1952 | 11 |
| 1951 | 9 |
| 1950 | 9 |
| 1949 | 16 |
| 1948 | 14 |
| 1947 | 13 |
| 1946 | 20 |
| 1945 | 17 |
| 1944 | 18 |
| 1943 | 26 |
| 1942 | 22 |
| 1941 | 21 |
| 1940 | 16 |
| 1939 | 15 |
| 1938 | 11 |
| 1937 | 13 |
| 1936 | 19 |
| 1935 | 18 |
| 1934 | 26 |
| 1933 | 18 |
| 1932 | 20 |
| 1931 | 25 |
| 1930 | 17 |
| 1929 | 16 |
| 1928 | 19 |
| 1927 | 23 |
| 1926 | 22 |
| 1925 | 20 |
| 1924 | 17 |
| 1923 | 22 |
| 1922 | 26 |
| 1921 | 22 |
| 1920 | 19 |
| 1919 | 22 |
| 1918 | 34 |
| 1917 | 24 |
| 1916 | 29 |
| 1915 | 21 |
| 1914 | 15 |
| 1913 | 16 |
| 1912 | 15 |
| 1911 | 7 |
| 1910 | 5 |
| 1909 | 7 |
| 1903 | 5 |
| 1887 | 6 |