Gillian is a unique and beautiful female given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the ancient Irish name "Gille Eoin," which means "servant of John." The name Gillian has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Saint Gillian, a patron saint of Scotland who was martyred in the 7th century.
The name Gillian has evolved over time and has several variations, including Jill,Gill, Gilia, and Gilleen. Despite its Irish roots, Gillian has been widely adopted across different cultures and countries, making it a truly international name.
In literature, Gillian is often portrayed as intelligent, independent, and strong-willed characters. For example, in the novel "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett, one of the main characters is named Mary Gillian Lennox. This portrayal has contributed to the enduring appeal of the name Gillian.
Today, Gillian remains a popular choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughter. Its rich history and international popularity make it a timeless option that continues to resonate with people around the world.
The statistics provided show the number of births with the name Gillian in the United States for a span of decades, starting from 1978 to 2016. Over these years, there were a total of 68 babies named Gillian.
The name's popularity fluctuated over time, with some peaks and troughs. The highest number of births recorded was in 1988, with 10 newborn girls named Gillian. This is the only year where the number of births exceeded double digits within this dataset.
However, there were also years where the number of births with the name Gillian was quite low. In fact, five out of the ten years listed had fewer than six births each.
It's worth noting that despite these fluctuations in popularity, the name Gillian has maintained a consistent presence in the United States over this period. This could indicate that while it may not be one of the most popular names, it is still widely recognized and used.
In terms of trends, there appears to be no significant pattern in the popularity of the name Gillian based on these statistics alone. Some years show an increase, others a decrease, suggesting that other factors might influence naming choices rather than a consistent rise or fall over time.
Overall, while not extremely common, the name Gillian has been given consistently enough over these decades to retain its presence in American naming culture.