Gill

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Gill

Pronounced GIL /ˈɡɪl/High

Meaning: Gill is a short form of Gilbert, from Germanic gisil, 'pledge, hostage', and beraht, 'bright' — so 'bright pledge'; it also stands as an English surname, and both routes fed its use as a boys' first name.Low

In 30 seconds: Gill is a short form of Gilbert, 'bright pledge', and also an English surname (said 'GIL').

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Origin LowEnglish, Germanic

MeaningGill is a short form of Gilbert, from Germanic gisil, 'pledge, hostage', and beraht, 'bright' — so 'bright pledge'; it also stands as an English surname, and both routes fed its use as a boys' first name.

U.S. rank (2006)#12687 ↘ Falling

2006 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1956

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,218

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Gill works both as a clipped form of Gilbert — from Germanic roots meaning 'bright pledge' — and as an English surname in its own right. As a first name it has a plain, sturdy, one-syllable feel.

Never common, it edged to a modest mid-century peak around 1956 at just a few dozen boys a year and trailed off afterward; it reads as an old-fashioned short name and carries Gilbert's 'bright pledge' sense.

Did you know? Gill appeared as a boys' name across the twentieth century, touching a small peak around 1956 at only a few dozen boys a year.

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Gill — Gilbert short form; Germanic 'bright pledge'

Variations

GilGilbertGille

Nicknames

Gilly

Famous Bearers

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If you like Gill…

Gil— a sister spelling of the same short name

Gilbert— the full name Gill shortens

Phil— a like short mid-century boys' name

Will— another one-syllable clipped classic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gill mean?

Gill is a short form of Gilbert, from Germanic roots meaning 'bright pledge'.

How do you pronounce Gill?

It's said GIL /ˈɡɪl/ — one syllable.

Is Gill a boy or girl name?

Gill is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Gill?

Gill is an uncommon short name, most seen around the mid-nineteen-fifties.