Khalil Boy

Popularity: #361 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kuh-LEEL //kəˈliːl//

Origin: Arabic

Meaning: friend; companion

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Khalil originates from the Arabic root 'kh-l-l,' which conveys the meaning of 'friend' or 'companion.' The earliest forms of the name can be traced back to the Arabic language, where it is used as a masculine given name. Khalil is often associated with the Arabic word 'khalilullah,' meaning 'friend of God,' a title attributed to the biblical figure Abraham in Islamic tradition.

This connection underscores the name's deep religious significance, as it reflects a close relationship with the divine, a theme prevalent in various Abrahamic faiths. Historically, the name Khalil has been borne by notable figures throughout Islamic history.

One of the most prominent was Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi, an influential 8th-century linguist and poet who is credited with establishing the principles of Arabic prosody and lexicography. His contributions to the Arabic language and literature have had a lasting impact, further embedding the name Khalil in cultural and scholarly contexts.

Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and religious writings, reinforcing its significance across centuries. Culturally, Khalil carries connotations of loyalty, friendship, and companionship, making it a name that resonates with values of community and kinship.

The name's enduring presence in Islamic culture is also reflected in its use among various Muslim communities around the world, where it is often celebrated for its positive attributes. The diminutive form 'Khal' is sometimes used affectionately, though Khalil remains the more formal and widely recognized version.

Overall, the name Khalil encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural significance that has persisted through the ages.

Famous people named Khalil

In this section, you will find notable people named Khalil. 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 Khalil who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Khalil 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.

Khalil Gibran is a poet and writer best known for The Prophet, Sand and Foam, and The Broken Wings.

Khalil Mack is a professional football player best known for playing as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders.

Khalil Shakir is a professional football player best known for playing as a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills.

Sibling suggestions

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

KareemZahirAmirRamiSamirAmin

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Khalil. 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.

KhaledKhalifaKhalisKhalisahKhalia

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Khalil was first seen in the United States in 1957.

Khalil has ranked as high as #524 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Khalil has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Khalil 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 Khalil 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 Khalil.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 826 826 0
2024 831 831 0
2023 988 982 6
2022 1,091 1,091 0
2021 1,153 1,148 5
2020 1,242 1,233 9
2019 1,143 1,127 16
2018 803 803 0
2017 741 733 8
2016 701 696 5
2015 630 624 6
2014 630 625 5
2013 611 602 9
2012 622 616 6
2011 590 580 10
2010 522 516 6
2009 559 553 6
2008 564 557 7
2007 561 556 5
2006 600 600 0
2005 572 566 6
2004 628 620 8
2003 555 546 9
2002 589 583 6
2001 626 626 0
2000 625 619 6
1999 705 700 5
1998 617 611 6
1997 577 577 0
1996 720 714 6
1995 1,132 1,118 14
1994 372 372 0
1993 287 287 0
1992 249 249 0
1991 154 154 0
1990 144 144 0
1989 113 113 0
1988 84 84 0
1987 78 78 0
1986 82 82 0
1985 80 80 0
1984 76 76 0
1983 69 69 0
1982 76 76 0
1981 68 68 0
1980 74 74 0
1979 85 78 7
1978 64 64 0
1977 56 56 0
1976 45 45 0
1975 35 35 0
1974 20 20 0
1973 12 12 0
1972 25 25 0
1971 17 17 0
1970 11 11 0
1969 6 6 0
1968 14 14 0
1967 8 8 0
1966 7 7 0
1965 7 7 0
1964 7 7 0
1962 6 6 0
1961 6 6 0
1960 7 7 0
1957 5 5 0

Top States for Khalil (2024)

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
TX 101
13%
FL 67
8%
GA 56
7%
CA 47
6%
NC 44
6%
IL 35
4%
OH 35
4%
SC 34
4%
LA 33
4%
NY 33
4%
AL 28
4%
VA 26
3%
MI 24
3%
IN 23
3%
TN 21
3%
MD 19
2%
MO 18
2%
AZ 17
2%
AR 16
2%
WA 15
2%
WI 14
2%
PA 12
2%
MS 11
1%
CO 10
1%
NJ 10
1%
IA 9
1%
MA 9
1%
KY 7
1%
CT 7
1%
OR 5
1%
NV 5
1%