Holding steady.
Popularity of Gilman since 1887
Babies named Gilman per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gilman's real moment was 1887.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 12 |
| 1910s | 188 |
| 1920s | 206 |
| 1930s | 182 |
| 1940s | 183 |
| 1950s | 92 |
| 1960s | 55 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gilman is an exceedingly rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1887 with a peak in that same year. Since then, it has seen minimal usage, with fewer than five births per year in most decades. The name's rarity makes it stand out as an unconventional choice. Its origin is uncertain, but it is likely a transferred use of an English surname derived from Old English elements. Despite never ranking in the top 1000, Gilman has a stable but minuscule presence in U.S. naming records, reflecting its status as a historical curiosity rather than a mainstream option.
Gilman is generally considered a transferred use of an English surname. The surname itself may derive from the Old English personal name Gīslman, composed of gīsl 'pledge' or 'hostage' and man 'man', thus 'pledge man' or 'hostage man'. Another possible origin is from a variant of Gillman, which may be a topographic name for someone living near a ravine (from Old English giel 'ravine') or a reduced form of the Norman name Gil(l)eman. The name has been used sparingly as a given name since the late 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gil
Variants: Gillman, Gilmon
Sibling names for Gilman
Names that share Gilman's style, for a brother or sister.
