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Home › Baby Names Directory › Gilmer

Gilmer

♂ Boy

Pronounced GIL-mur /ˈɡɪl.mɚ/High

Meaning: Variously from the Germanic, 'a famous hostage/pledge' (gisil, 'pledge', + meri, 'famous') and the Scottish Gil-Moire, 'a servant of the Virgin Mary'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A famous hostage; a servant of Mary: Gilmer is Germanic/Scottish. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'GIL-mur'). Routes layered.
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Origin LowGermanic, Scottish
MeaningVariously from the Germanic, 'a famous hostage/pledge' (gisil, 'pledge', + meri, 'famous') and the Scottish Gil-Moire, 'a servant of the Virgin Mary'; routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#10200 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1918
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,187

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191819072024

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

Gilmer comes variously from the Germanic, 'a famous hostage/pledge' (gisil, 'pledge', + meri, 'famous') and the Scottish Gil-Moire, 'a servant of the Virgin Mary' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, classic name (said 'GIL-mur').

In the U.S. it appears in Hispanic and Scottish families. Rare, a-famous-hostage at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Gilmer is variously 'a famous hostage/pledge' (Germanic) and 'a servant of the Virgin Mary' (Scottish Gil-Moire) — a crisp, classic name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'GIL-mur').
Overall data confidence 28%
References — Gilmer — Germanic/Scottish; routes layered

Variations

GillmerGilmore

Nicknames

Gil

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Gilmer…

Gilberto— a fellow Gil- Spanish boys' name
Gilbert— a sound-adjacent Gil- boys' name
Walter— shares Gilmer's Germanic roots
Elmer— shares Gilmer's Germanic roots
Coulter— a fellow Scottish choice

Explore names like Gilmer

By themeuncertaingermanicscottish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gilmer mean?

Gilmer is variously 'a famous hostage/pledge' (Germanic) and 'a servant of the Virgin Mary' (Scottish Gil-Moire). The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Gilmer?

It's said GIL-mur /ˈɡɪl.mɚ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Gilmer a boy or girl name?

Gilmer is a boy's name.

How popular is Gilmer?

Gilmer is a very rare name in the U.S.

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