Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Jillian
GirlEnglish, Latin· “youthful; form of Juliana”
- Meaning
- youthful; form of Juliana
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- JIH-lee-uhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,266
- US babies 2025
- 177
- Best rank
- #96 (1982)
- Peak year
- 1982
Meaning and origin of Jillian
Jillian is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “youthful; form of Juliana”.
Jillian is a variant of Gillian, the medieval English form of Juliana, the feminine of the Roman family name Julius, often said to mean youthful. Gillian was so common in the Middle Ages that its short form Jill became a general word for a girl, as in the nursery rhyme Jack and Jill. The spelling with J grew popular in the United States in the later twentieth century. Jillian feels friendly and approachable, with a lilting three-syllable rhythm. Jill and Jilly are classic nicknames, and Gillian remains the more traditional British spelling.
Other spellings with the same sound: Gillian.
Popularity over time
Jillian first appears in US Social Security records in 1944. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 45 different years, starting in 1976. Its best national rank was #96 in 1982, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,056 babies. In 2025, 177 babies were named Jillian, and it ranked #1,266 nationally. That is 76% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,986 in 1950, #171 in 1980, #120 in 2000, #169 in 2010, and #1,266 in 2025. Of the 83,197 US girls named Jillian since records began, 31% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 22,822 babies. Since 2010, 10,087 more have been named Jillian.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Desiree, Candace, Stefanie, Marquita, and Candice.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Jillian ranked highest in Kansas, Ohio, and Missouri.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | #539 | 6 |
| Ohio | #726 | 13 |
| Missouri | #765 | 7 |
| Massachusetts | #814 | 6 |
| Indiana | #860 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Jillian is usually pronounced JIH-lee-uhn, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with J and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Gillian.
Middle names for Jillian
A few middle names that flow with Jillian: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Jillian
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Lists that include Jillian
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jillian mean?
Jillian is an English and Latin name that is usually said to mean “youthful; form of Juliana”.
What is the origin of the name Jillian?
Jillian has English and Latin roots. Jillian is a variant of Gillian, the medieval English form of Juliana, the feminine of the Roman family name Julius, often said to mean youthful.
Is Jillian a popular name?
Not especially. Jillian ranked #1,266 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Jillian a boy or girl name?
Jillian is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Jillian?
Jillian is usually pronounced JIH-lee-uhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings