Gil

Meaning of Gil

Gil is a bright, one-syllable gem that feels at once timeless and fresh. With roots in Old French and Hebrew—meaning “joy” or “bright pledge”—this spirited name dances effortlessly across languages: English speakers know it as gil (/ɡɪl/), Spanish as heel (/xil/), and Italian as jeel (/dʒil/). Though Gil has never stormed the very top of the U.S. charts, the name has held steady in the top 1,000 for over a century, ranking No. 897 in 2024 with 27 newborns—a gentle reminder that quiet brilliance endures. And unlike names that come with built-in nicknames, Gil is delightfully complete—no frills attached. Evoking playful troubadours, adventurous visionaries, and the promise of laughter around every corner, Gil offers parents a warm, confident choice: a single-syllable spark primed to light up a lifetime.

Pronunciation

English

  • Pronunced as gil (/ɡil/)

Spanish

  • Pronunced as heel (/xil/)

Italian

  • Pronunced as jeel (/dʒil/)

U.S. Popularity Chart

Similar Names to Gil

Notable People Named Gil

Gil Scott-Heron -
Gil Kane -
Gil Hodges -
Gil Evans -
Gil Cedillo -
Gil Kerlikowske -
Gil Gutknecht -
Gil González Dávila -
Gil Brandt -
Gil Amelio -
Gil Cisneros -
Gil Gerard -
Gil Stratton -
Gil Shaham -
Gil Shohat -
Laura Hamilton
Curated byLaura Hamilton

Assistant Editor