Boy Name
Gil
Gil is a boy's name whose meaning is not firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a boy's name across several naming traditions, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Gil is a boy baby name. It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Gil often also consider Gail.
Gil meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Gil has a distinctive sound and evolving modern usage.
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Gil as G·I·L, with 3 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Gil is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Gil variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Gila, Gile, Gily.
- Nicknames: Gil works as its own nickname.
- Middle names: Pair Gil with a middle name that balances its short sound; start with the Gil middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Gail, Gill, Gale, Gael, Gala — full picks on the sibling names for Gil guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Gil? Browse our names like Gil guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Gil
What does the name Gil mean?
Gil has no single meaning that is firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a boy name in US birth records, and parents usually choose it for its sound rather than a documented meaning.
What is the origin of Gil?
The exact origin of Gil is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Gil?
Gil has 3 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Gil a boy's or girl's name?
Gil is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Gil in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Gil sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Gil?
Names that share Gil's sound and style include Gail, Gill, Gale, Gael, Gala.
What middle names pair well with Gil?
Good middle-name fits for Gil pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Gil is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Gil is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Gil?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Gil share its rhythm without rhyming — Gail, Gill, Gale all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.