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Khalil

♂ Boy

Pronounced kah-LEEL /xɑːˈliːl/High

Meaning: From Arabic khalil meaning friend or close companion, derived from the root kh-l-l meaning to penetrate or permeate, denoting deep friendshipHigh

In 30 seconds: Khalil is a resonant Arabic name meaning 'friend' or 'close companion,' cherished across the Muslim world and made beloved in the West largely through the poet Khalil Gibran.
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Origin HighArabic
MeaningFrom Arabic khalil meaning friend or close companion, derived from the root kh-l-l meaning to penetrate or permeate, denoting deep friendship
U.S. rank (2025)#384 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births826 boys (0.05% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 25,016

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202019572025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Khalil derives from the Arabic root kh-l-l, meaning to penetrate deeply or to befriend intimately. The Quranic honorific Khalilullah (Friend of God) was applied to Ibrahim, giving the name profound spiritual weight in Islamic culture.

The name is used throughout the Arab world, Turkey, and Muslim communities globally. In Western countries, the poet and philosopher Kahlil Gibran introduced a variant spelling to English-speaking audiences.

Did you know? The title Khalil Allah (Friend of God) is a Quranic honorific given to the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), making the name especially significant in Islamic tradition.
Overall data confidence 95%
Behind the Name — Khalil — etymology and cultural significanceU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KahlilCalilHalil

Nicknames

Khali

Famous Bearers

  • ★Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931)
    Lebanese-American poet, philosopher, and artist, author of The Prophet.

If you like Khalil…

Kareem— shares the noble Arabic heritage and smooth two-syllable musicality
Hassan— fellow Arabic name with deep Islamic tradition and the same warm resonance
Tariq— Arabic name with comparable spiritual roots and modern use
Jamal— shares the Arabic origin and the same graceful, internationally recognized sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Khalil mean?

Khalil means friend or close companion in Arabic, rooted in the concept of deep, intimate friendship.

How do you pronounce Khalil?

It is said kah-LEEL /xɑːˈliːl/ — two syllables, stress on the second; the kh is a guttural sound.

Is Khalil an Islamic name?

Yes, Khalil holds special significance in Islam as the honorific Khalilullah means Friend of God, a title given to Ibrahim.

What is the difference between Khalil and Kahlil?

Kahlil is an anglicized spelling used by poet Kahlil Gibran; both represent the same Arabic name.