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Home › Baby Names Directory › Hilari

Hilari

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Hilari

Pronounced HIL-uh-ree /ˈhɪl.ə.riː/Medium

Meaning: Hilari is a variant spelling of Hilary, from the Latin Hilarius and the adjective hilaris, 'cheerful' or 'merry.' The name was carried by early saints and used for both sexes before settling mainly on girls in modern America. Hilari keeps the sunny meaning.Low

In 30 seconds: Hilari is a variant of Hilary, 'cheerful' or 'merry,' from the Latin hilaris. It stayed rare and peaked around 1978 (said HIL-uh-ree).
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Origin LowLatin
MeaningHilari is a variant spelling of Hilary, from the Latin Hilarius and the adjective hilaris, 'cheerful' or 'merry.' The name was carried by early saints and used for both sexes before settling mainly on girls in modern America. Hilari keeps the sunny meaning.
U.S. rank (2008)#14392 ↗ Rising
2008 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1978
Total births (all-time)≈ 226

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197919692008

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

Hilari is a lighter spelling of Hilary, a name from the Latin Hilarius meaning 'cheerful.' Once given to boys and girls alike and borne by early saints, it leaned female in twentieth-century America. This -i ending gives the classic a softer, more informal look.

It was never common, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its high around 1978. A girl named Hilari then is an adult today.

Did you know? The Latin root of Hilari, hilaris, is the same one behind the English word 'hilarious,' tying the name directly to good cheer.
Overall data confidence 40%
References - Hilari — Variant of Hilary; Latin hilaris 'cheerful'

Variations

HilaryHillaryHillari

Nicknames

HilLari

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Hilari…

Hilary— the standard spelling of this name
Hillary— a like spelling of the same name
Tiffani— a similar -i ending vintage name
Kari— a comparable trim -i girl's name

Explore names like Hilari

By themerarevintagevariantlatinate

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hilari mean?

It is a variant of Hilary, from the Latin hilaris, meaning 'cheerful' or 'merry.'

How do you pronounce Hilari?

It is said HIL-uh-ree /ˈhɪl.ə.riː/ - three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Hilari a boy or girl name?

Hilari is used as a girl's name, though Hilary was historically given to both sexes.

How popular is Hilari?

It was always rare, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its peak in the late nineteen-seventies.

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