Hillary is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "hild", which means "battle". The name Hillary has been used throughout history, with notable figures bearing this name including Hillary Clinton, former First Lady and Secretary of State of the United States.
The name Hillary was popularized in the 20th century, particularly after the first ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Since then, it has been associated with adventure, exploration, and achievement.
Overall, the name Hillary carries a strong and powerful connotation due to its meaning and historical significance. It is often chosen by parents who want to give their daughter a name that embodies strength, courage, and determination.
The name Hillary has been quite popular in the United States over the past century, with a significant increase in usage from the 1960s onwards.
In the early decades of the 20th century, the name was relatively uncommon. Only five babies named Hillary were born in the US in 1922. However, by the 1940s, its popularity had begun to grow, with seven births recorded in 1942 and 19 births each in 1944 and 1945.
The 1950s saw a steady increase in the number of babies named Hillary. There were 29 births in 1946, rising to 99 in 1956. This trend continued into the 1960s, with 178 births in 1968 and 257 in 1970.
The peak of popularity for the name Hillary came in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1977, there were 442 babies named Hillary, rising to a high of 1,790 in 1991. This period saw an unprecedented boom in the number of girls being given this name.
However, after reaching its zenith, the popularity of the name Hillary began to decline. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the number of babies named Hillary had fallen significantly, with only 63 births recorded in 2017 and 45 in 2019.
Despite this recent decrease in popularity, the name Hillary has still proven to be quite enduring over time. According to data from the Social Security Administration, a total of 28,897 babies named Hillary have been born in the United States since 1916. This demonstrates that while its popularity may fluctuate, the name Hillary remains a classic choice for parents seeking a timeless and memorable moniker for their daughters.