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Galilee

♀ Girl

Pronounced GAL-ih-lee /ˈɡæl.ɪ.liː/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew Galil meaning district or circuit; Galilee was the northern region of ancient Israel, famous in the New Testament as Jesus' home regionHigh

In 30 seconds: Galilee is a serene biblical place name meaning district or circuit, drawn from the northern region of ancient Israel where Jesus grew up — evocative, spiritual, and beautifully melodic.
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Origin HighHebrew, Aramaic
MeaningFrom the Hebrew Galil meaning district or circuit; Galilee was the northern region of ancient Israel, famous in the New Testament as Jesus' home region
U.S. rank (2024)#3052 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births53 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 607

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202320012024

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

History & Origin

Galilee comes from the Hebrew Galil, meaning a district or circuit, referring to the fertile northern region of ancient Israel. The region of Galilee is mentioned more than sixty times in the New Testament as the home of Jesus and most of his apostles.

As a given name, Galilee is a modern, spiritually resonant choice that emerged in English-speaking Christian communities in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, part of a broader trend of using biblical place names — such as Eden, Zion, and Canaan — as given names.

Did you know? The Sea of Galilee — the freshwater lake where several miracles in the Gospels took place — is actually called Lake Kinneret in Hebrew, and at 209 metres below sea level it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth.
Overall data confidence 88%
Strong's Hebrew Lexicon — Galil — root meaning of district or circuitBehind the Name — Galilee — modern use as a given name

Variations

GalileGalileah

Nicknames

GaliLeahLee

Famous Bearers

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If you like Galilee…

Eden— fellow poetic biblical place name used for girls
Zion— same spiritual Hebrew geographical name as given name
Jordan— shares the biblical river/region place-name tradition
Canaan— another ancient biblical land name used as a given name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Galilee mean?

Galilee means district or circuit in Hebrew, referring to the northern region of ancient Israel significant throughout the New Testament.

How do you pronounce Galilee?

It is said GAL-ih-lee, three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Galilee a boy or girl name?

Galilee is used as a girls' name, though as a biblical place name it is technically gender-neutral.

How popular is Galilee?

Galilee is a rare but rising name in Christian families in the United States, part of the trend for spiritual biblical place names.