Trillian Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TRIL-ee-an /ˈtrɪliən/
Origin: English; Literary
Meaning: Derived from the name Trillian in Douglas Adams' 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Trillian is believed to be a modern invention, deriving from the literary work of Douglas Adams, specifically his science fiction series "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," first published in 1979. The character Trillian, originally named Tricia McMillan, is one of the few human survivors after Earth is destroyed, and she embodies a blend of intelligence and adventurous spirit.
The name itself does not have a clear etymological root in earlier languages but may evoke associations with the word "trill," which refers to a musical ornament or a rapid alternation between two notes, suggesting a lively and dynamic character. In terms of historical milestones, while Trillian does not have a deep historical lineage like many traditional names, its introduction in popular culture has made it notable since the late 20th century.
The character's journey through space and her interactions with various alien species reflect themes of exploration and the search for meaning, resonating with the broader human experience. The series has garnered a significant following, and Trillian's character has become emblematic of the genre, representing a strong female presence in science fiction literature.
Culturally, Trillian symbolizes the merging of the ordinary with the extraordinary, as she transitions from a typical Earth life to one filled with cosmic adventures. This blend of the mundane and the fantastical has contributed to the name's appeal in various adaptations and interpretations within the science fiction community.
While diminutive forms or variations of the name are not widely recognized, the character's full name, Tricia, may sometimes be used in informal contexts. Overall, Trillian stands as a testament to the impact of literature on naming conventions, highlighting how fictional characters can influence cultural perceptions and associations.
Fictional characters named Trillian
The following list of fictional characters named Trillian 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.
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Trillian is a fictional character from the science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. She is a human woman who travels through space and is known for her intelligence and resourcefulness.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Trillian, 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 Trillian. 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 Trillian was first seen in the United States in 2007.
Trillian has ranked as high as #15648 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Trillian has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Trillian 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 Trillian 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 Trillian.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 2011 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2010 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2009 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2008 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Top States for Trillian
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.
No state data available for this year.