Rising since 1990, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Jhalil since 1988
Babies named Jhalil per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 7 |
| 1990s | 71 |
| 2000s | 132 |
| 2010s | 180 |
| 2020s | 78 |
Meaning & origin
Jhalil is an uncommon American name, first recorded in Social Security data in 1988. It has seen a gradual increase in use, particularly after 1990, and reached its peak rank of 7,679 in 2017. By 2025, the name remains rare, given to about 1 in 170,808 boys. The spelling Jhalil represents a variant of the more traditional Arabic name Khalil, which carries the meaning 'friend' or 'companion'. While it has not been recorded in any top states, its usage is likely concentrated among families with Arabic-speaking heritage. As a rising but still rare choice, Jhalil offers a distinctive alternative to more common names like Khalil or Jamal.
Jhalil is likely a phonetic variant of Khalil, an Arabic name derived from the root kh-l-l, meaning 'friend' or 'companion'. The name Khalil appears in the Quran as a title for the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), meaning 'friend of God'. The 'Jh-' spelling may reflect alternate transliteration or dialectal pronunciation. The name has been in sporadic use in the United States since the late 20th century, primarily among families with Arabic-speaking heritage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jay, Jhal
Sibling names for Jhalil
Names that share Jhalil's style, for a brother or sister.
