Hilliard is a unique and uncommon male given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name Hildred, which was composed of two elements: "hild", meaning battle or war, and "-red", meaning red or wealthy. Thus, Hilliard can be interpreted to mean "strong in battle" or "powerful warrior".
The name Hilliard has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages in England. It was often used as a surname before being adopted as a given name in the 19th century. Some notable individuals with the surname Hilliard include the American politician Benjamin Hilliard, who served as the governor of Georgia in the early 19th century, and the English actor Rupert Hilliard, known for his role in the popular British television series "EastEnders".
Despite its historical roots, Hilliard remains a rare name today. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, only a handful of babies have been named Hilliard each year since the 1970s. This scarcity makes it a distinctive choice for parents looking for an unusual and meaningful name for their son.
In conclusion, Hilliard is a historic English given name with a strong and powerful meaning. Its rarity today makes it a unique option for those seeking an uncommon yet significant name for their child.
Based on the statistical data provided, we can observe trends and patterns regarding the given name Hilliard over time in the United States.
From 1880 to 1972, there were a total of 1,859 births with the name Hilliard. During this period, the name's popularity varied significantly from year to year. The earliest recorded year with more than ten births was 1883, with eleven births. However, it wasn't until 1912 that there were twenty-eight births in a single year, indicating an increase in popularity for Hilliard around this time.
The peak of popularity occurred between the years 1914 and 1923. In 1914, there were thirty-five births, which rose to forty-four births in 1917, and peaked at forty-seven births in 1923. After this period, the number of births with the name Hilliard began to decrease steadily.
From 1973 onwards, there was a notable decline in popularity for the name Hilliard. There were ten births recorded in 1973, and from 1975 to 1982, the annual birth count fluctuated between five and eight births per year. The most recent data provided is from 1991, with only five births.
Overall, while Hilliard was a popular name for babies born in the United States during the early to mid-20th century, its popularity has significantly decreased in recent decades. Despite this decline, it remains a unique and historically notable name choice.