Hilary Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationHIL-uh-ree / /ˈhɪl.ə.ri/Latin; English
Meaning
Latin: cheerful; English: from the name Hilarius
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Hilary has roots in Latin, derived from 'Hilarius,' meaning cheerful or happy. It has been used as a given name in various cultures, particularly in English-speaking countries. Historically, it has been associated with several saints and religious figures, contributing to its usage in Christian contexts. The name has also been used for both genders, though it is more commonly associated with females in contemporary times.
Trend Summary
The name Hilary has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable decline in usage since the late 20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Hilary
- Hillary
International Variants
- Hilario (Spanish)
- Hilaire (French)
Famous people named Hilary
Hilary Swank is an American actress known for her roles in films such as 'Boys Don't Cry' and 'Million Dollar Baby.'.
Hilary Clinton is an American politician and former Secretary of State, known for her candidacy for President in 2016.
Hilary Duff is an American actress and singer, recognized for her role in the television series 'Lizzie McGuire.'.
Hilary Mantel is a British author, acclaimed for her historical novels including 'Wolf Hall' and 'Bring Up the Bodies.'.
Fictional characters named Hilary
Hilary Banks is a character from the television series 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' known for her fashionable and sometimes spoiled personality.
Hilary is a character in the video game series 'The Legend of Zelda,' serving as a minor character in various installments.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Hilary was first seen in the United States in 1882. Hilary has ranked as high as #863 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in New York, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Minnesota. In the past 5 years the name Hilary has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Hilary (1989)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DC | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1882 | 7 |
| 1883 | 6 |
| 1887 | 7 |
| 1891 | 8 |
| 1896 | 6 |
| 1897 | 5 |
| 1898 | 5 |
| 1902 | 8 |
| 1904 | 5 |
| 1905 | 6 |
| 1907 | 5 |
| 1908 | 5 |
| 1909 | 7 |
| 1910 | 8 |
| 1911 | 12 |
| 1912 | 22 |
| 1913 | 23 |
| 1914 | 24 |
| 1915 | 36 |
| 1916 | 40 |
| 1917 | 44 |
| 1918 | 47 |
| 1919 | 35 |
| 1920 | 42 |
| 1921 | 37 |
| 1922 | 38 |
| 1923 | 51 |
| 1924 | 53 |
| 1925 | 32 |
| 1926 | 45 |
| 1927 | 40 |
| 1928 | 42 |
| 1929 | 48 |
| 1930 | 36 |
| 1931 | 45 |
| 1932 | 30 |
| 1933 | 38 |
| 1934 | 33 |
| 1935 | 39 |
| 1936 | 28 |
| 1937 | 28 |
| 1938 | 20 |
| 1939 | 29 |
| 1940 | 29 |
| 1941 | 26 |
| 1942 | 25 |
| 1943 | 35 |
| 1944 | 28 |
| 1945 | 28 |
| 1946 | 20 |
| 1947 | 42 |
| 1948 | 41 |
| 1949 | 34 |
| 1950 | 26 |
| 1951 | 28 |
| 1952 | 27 |
| 1953 | 39 |
| 1954 | 35 |
| 1955 | 35 |
| 1956 | 37 |
| 1957 | 31 |
| 1958 | 35 |
| 1959 | 32 |
| 1960 | 19 |
| 1961 | 24 |
| 1962 | 15 |
| 1963 | 24 |
| 1964 | 17 |
| 1965 | 13 |
| 1966 | 16 |
| 1967 | 15 |
| 1968 | 11 |
| 1969 | 12 |
| 1970 | 25 |
| 1971 | 12 |
| 1972 | 17 |
| 1973 | 10 |
| 1974 | 13 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1976 | 11 |
| 1977 | 14 |
| 1978 | 11 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1980 | 16 |
| 1981 | 12 |
| 1982 | 6 |
| 1983 | 14 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1987 | 8 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 2018 | 5 |