Jillian is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Irish given name Julie or Julia. It means "downy-bearded Youth" in Latin. The name Jillian has been used since the Middle Ages and was popularized by the novel "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" written by Kate Douglas Wiggin. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a female given name in English-speaking countries.
The name Jillian has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, with its peak occurring between 1982 and 1983. During these two years, there were a total of 31 births, marking the highest point for this name during the period of 1977 to 2009.
However, the popularity of Jillian seemed to decline after its peak in the mid-1980s. From 1986 onwards, the number of annual births with the name Jillian was consistently below 15 until it reached a low point of just 5 births per year between 1994 and 2005.
After this period of decreased popularity, there was a slight resurgence in the use of the name Jillian. In the years 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2006, there were between 5 to 10 births per year with this name.
Overall, during the period from 1977 to 2009, there were a total of 227 babies born in the United States with the name Jillian. Despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, Jillian remains a unique and timeless choice for parents looking for a memorable and distinctive name for their child.