"shining one, luminous"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Hillel
Pronunciation: [ h-ihl-EHL ]
Does Hillel flow with your last name?
A luminous Hebrew name honoring the greatest Jewish sage
Jewish
Israeli
Hebrew
Biblical
Traditional
Spiritual
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Hillel
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Hillel
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Hillel
See all →What the Hillel report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Hillel the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Hillel
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Hillel head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Hillel actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Hillel
Hillel is a Hebrew name meaning praise or one who shines, derived from the root hallel, which is also the source of hallelujah (praise God). The name is most famous through Hillel the Elder, one of the most important Jewish sages of the Second Temple period (110 BCE - 10 CE), whose teachings and ethical philosophy remain foundational in Judaism.
Hillel has been used in Jewish communities for over 2,000 years, primarily in honor of Hillel the Elder. It is more commonly given in Orthodox and traditional Jewish families. The name is especially associated with Jewish student organizations on college campuses (Hillel International), named after the great sage.
Hillel the Elder is one of the most revered figures in Jewish history, famous for summarizing the Torah in one sentence: What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. The Hillel International organization, a major Jewish campus organization, has made the name widely recognizable.
Historical Record
Hillel first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 1,330 babies have been named Hillel in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hillel is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,325 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Hillel the Elder is credited with summarizing the entire Torah in one sentence
- Hillel International is the world's largest Jewish campus organization, founded in 1923
- The word hallelujah meaning praise God shares the same Hebrew root as the name Hillel
Hillel in Other Languages
Arabic
هلال
Hebrew
הִלֵּל
Russian
Гиллель
Yiddish
Hilel
Popularity Over Time
#3,325
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hillel
H
H
Hillel the Elder
Religious
Jewish sage of the Second Temple period (c. 110 BCE - 10 CE), one of the most influential figures in Jewish history and ...
Jewish sage of the Second Temple period (c. 110 BCE - 10 CE), one of the most influential figures in Jewish history and ethics
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Heber
Boy
"beyond, one who crossed over"
#3,481
Benyamin
Boy
"son of the south"
#3,504
Ziyon
Boy
"parched land, sun-baked land"
#3,231
Jeziah
Boy
"God strengthens, Yahweh strengthens"
#3,133
Dani
Boy
"God is my judge"
#3,252
Compare Hillel with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,325
- Total SSA Count
- 36
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Israeli Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Common Nicknames
Hil
Hill
Hillie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, sophisticated style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hillel
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Hillel fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Hillel →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Hillel with...
Same Origin Names (Jewish)
See all Jewish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Hillel
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Hillel and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Hillel sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Heber
Boy
Hebrew origin
"beyond, one who crossed over"
#3,481 in US
Benyamin
Boy
Hebrew origin
"son of the south"
#3,504 in US
Ziyon
Boy
Ancient Semitic origin
"parched land, sun-baked land"
#3,231 in US
Jeziah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God strengthens, Yahweh strengthens"
#3,133 in US
Dani
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God is my judge"
#3,252 in US
Jehu
Boy
Hebrew origin
"Yahweh is He; God lives"
#3,375 in US
Amaziah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"Yahweh is mighty, strength of God"
#3,482 in US
Ezekial
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God strengthens"
#3,396 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Hillel's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hillel
What does the name Hillel mean?
"shining one, luminous" (from Hebrew). Hillel is a Hebrew name meaning praise or one who shines, derived from the root hallel, which is also the source of hallelujah (praise God). The name is most famous through Hillel the Elder, one of the most important Jewish sages of the Second Temple period (110 BCE - 10 CE), whose teachings and ethical philosophy remain foundational in Judaism.
What is the origin of the name Hillel?
Hillel has Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli origins. In Hebrew, it means "shining one, luminous".
Is Hillel a boy or girl name?
Hillel is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Hillel?
Hillel is pronounced h-ihl-EHL.
How popular is the name Hillel?
Hillel is currently ranked #3325 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hillel?
Common nicknames for Hillel include Hil, Hill, and Hillie.
What are good middle names for Hillel?
Popular middle name pairings include Hillel David, Hillel Benjamin, Hillel Jacob, Hillel Michael, Hillel Moshe, Hillel Avi, and Hillel Yonatan.
What are good sibling names for Hillel?
Names that pair well with Hillel as siblings include Miriam, Devorah, Ezra, Yael, Elijah, Rivka, and Shmuel.
How many syllables does Hillel have?
Hillel has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Hillel a common or rare name?
Hillel is an uncommon name, ranked #3325 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hillel
Hillel is a boy name with Jewish, Israeli, and Hebrew origins . The name means "shining one, luminous" in Hebrew .
Hillel is currently ranked #3,325 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Hillel has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-ihl-EHL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Hillel include Hil, Hill, and Hillie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
H
Names Starting with H
More boy names like Hillel
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis