Gilead is a name of Hebrew origin that appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. Its meaning can be translated as "hill of testimony" or "heap of witnesses." According to the Bible, Gilead was a region located east of the Jordan River and was known for its fertile soil and lush valleys.
The name Gilead first appears in the Bible in Genesis 31:47-48, where it is mentioned as the place where Jacob and Laban made a covenant and erected a pillar to serve as a witness. It also plays a significant role in the story of Jephthah, a judge who delivered Israel from the Ammonites (Judges 10-12).
Throughout history, the name Gilead has been associated with various places and figures beyond its biblical context. For instance, it is used as the name of a fictional city in Marillion's album "Marbles" and also serves as the title for a novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood.
In modern times, Gilead has gained renewed attention due to its use in the HBO series "The Handmaid's Tale," adapted from Atwood's dystopian novel of the same name. In this fictional universe, Gilead is the totalitarian society established following a second American Civil War.
Overall, the name Gilead carries a rich historical and cultural heritage rooted in biblical lore but has also evolved to encompass diverse interpretations and representations in literature and popular culture.
Statistics on the given name Gilead in the United States show a varying trend over time. From 1992 to 2023, there have been a total of 81 babies named Gilead born in the U.S.
The peak years for the name Gilead were 2009 and 2021 with 9 births each year. In contrast, the lowest number of births recorded was in 1992 with only 5 babies named Gilead that year.
Interestingly, there is no clear pattern or consistent trend in the number of babies named Gilead from year to year. The totals range from a low of 5 births in several years up to a high of 10 births in 2021.
While not highly popular compared to other names, Gilead has maintained a relatively stable presence among baby names in recent decades in the United States.