UK boy's name
Gilly
A feminine diminutive of Gillian, derived from the Latin Ægidius.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gilly is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Gilly popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4678, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2009 to 2010. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Gilly. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2011 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gilly ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales in 2010, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Gilly.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gilly as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4678
2010
Births in 2010
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Gilly mean?
The name Gilly has its roots in the Old French language and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the French word "gille," which means a young man or a servant. The name likely originated as a nickname or a term of endearment for a male servant or attendant.
In medieval France, the name Gilly was commonly used among the lower classes and the working population. It was a popular name for servants, attendants, and those employed in households or manors. The name's association with service and humility may have contributed to its popularity during that era.
One of the earliest known references to the name Gilly can be found in the 13th-century French epic poem "Le Roman de la Rose" (The Romance of the Rose). The poem mentions a character named Gilly, although his exact role or significance is unclear.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Gilly. One of the earliest recorded bearers was Gilly de Trazegnies (born around 1260), a Belgian nobleman and crusader who participated in the Ninth Crusade. Another early figure was Gilly de Rais (1404-1440), a French nobleman and military leader who fought alongside Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War.
In the 16th century, Gilly Meyrick (1556-1599) was a Welsh landowner and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. A century later, Gilly Wigg (1670-1734) was an English author and playwright known for his satirical works and comedies.
Moving into the 19th century, Gilly Williams (1822-1892) was a British architect and designer who contributed to the Gothic Revival architectural style in England. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings, including the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
As the name Gilly transitioned into modern times, it gained popularity as a feminine name, often used as a diminutive or nickname for names like Gillian or Jillian. However, its historical roots and associations with service, humility, and the working class remain an intriguing part of its etymology and cultural significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gilly over time
The chart below shows babies named Gilly registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2010. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gilly, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2010, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gilly by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gilly was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4678 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Gilly
- George 121,258
- Gabriel 20,581
- Grayson 7,636
- Gregory 2,925
- Guy 2,646
- Gareth 2,092
- Gethin 1,880
- Georgie 1,872
- Gary 1,575
- Gavin 1,422
- Giovanni 1,252
- Grant 1,199
FAQ
Gilly: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gilly in the UK right now?
In 2010, Gilly was ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Gilly most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Gilly in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gilly?
A feminine diminutive of Gillian, derived from the Latin Ægidius.
How many people are called Gilly in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Gilly across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.