Jill

At a Glance

Meaning

Pet form of Gillian (from Juliana), tracing to the Roman family name Julius

Origin

Latin (via Old French/Middle English diminutive chain)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

JILListen

Jill is a pet form of Gillian, which traces back to Juliana and the Roman family name Julius. It's often said to mean 'youthful,' but that's just a popular gloss on Julius — the actual root meaning of that Roman name isn't settled, so this is one to take with a grain of salt if a firm meaning matters to you.

Meaning & Origin of Jill

Meaning: Pet form of Gillian (from Juliana), tracing to the Roman family name Julius.

Origin: Latin (via Old French/Middle English diminutive chain).

A common claim: Often glossed as meaning 'youthful,' following the popular (but disputed) gloss for Julia/Julius. Actually: 'Youthful' is a folk gloss for Julius; the actual root meaning of that Roman name is uncertain, so it isn't a settled fact.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Jill

Popularity of Jill

Jill peaked at #41 in 1977, when 6,238 babies were given the name; by 2024 it had fallen to #6246, with just 19 babies named Jill that year.

Names Like Jill

These names have followed a similar path to Jill in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Jenni
• Elham
• Freedom
• Garrick
• Kena
• Donta

FAQ

What does the name Jill mean?

Pet form of Gillian (from Juliana), tracing to the Roman family name Julius. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Jill?

Jill is pronounced JIL (IPA: /dʒɪl/).

Is Jill a popular name right now?

Jill peaked at #41 in 1977 and is ranked #6246 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1906–2024.)

Make Jill Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Jill, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.