Tilman is a Germanic given name derived from an Old Frisian word meaning "protector of mankind". It gained popularity during the Middle Ages and was often used as a byname for warriors. In some regions, Tilman may also have been associated with St. Thomas à Becket, who was known as Thomas Becket or Thomas Cantuar in Latin. This association could potentially contribute to the name's spread and usage across Europe during medieval times.
The name Tilman experienced a significant boom in popularity during the early to mid-1900s, with a noticeable peak around the years 1914 and 1917 when it reached its highest points at 20 and 24 births respectively. After this period of high popularity, the number of Tilman births began to decline steadily until it reached its lowest point in recent years, notably in 2013 with only 5 births recorded. The total number of births for the name Tilman over the given period is 930.