"cheerful, merry, joyful"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Hillary
Pronunciation: [ h-IHL-er-ee ]
Does Hillary flow with your last name?
A Latin 'joy' name now charged with political history
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Meaning & Origin
"hilarious, causing laughter"
Origin: Greek via Latin
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Hillary Clinton (since 2016 presidential campaign) — this association is positive for some families and negative for others depending on political views
The Story of Hillary
Hillary (also spelled Hilary) comes from the Latin Hilarius, derived from the Greek 'hilaros' meaning cheerful or joyful. It was the name of a 4th-century bishop of Poitiers who was declared a Doctor of the Church — Saint Hilary of Poitiers. The name was used for both sexes in the Middle Ages, though in modern times it became predominantly feminine in English-speaking countries. Hillary was most popular in the 1970s-1980s.
Hillary experienced a surge in the 1970s when it was associated with a crisp, professional elegance. Its use declined somewhat after Hillary Clinton became a polarizing political figure, as her prominence made the name feel strongly associated with a specific person and political identity.
Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign made this one of the most politically charged names in American culture. For supporters, it became a name associated with breaking barriers; for others, it carries opposite connotations. Prior to this, the name's most famous bearer was Sir Edmund Hillary, the first climber of Mount Everest.
Historical Record
Hillary first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 28,743 babies have been named Hillary in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hillary is past its peak , currently ranked #2,340 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Sir Edmund Hillary was the first person to summit Mount Everest (1953)
- Saint Hilary of Poitiers is celebrated on January 13 in the Catholic calendar — 'Hilary Term' at Oxford is named for him
- Hillary was one of the most popular girls' names in the 1970s before becoming strongly associated with a single public figure
Hillary in Other Languages
Latin
Hilarius
French
Hilaire
German
Hilarius
Italian
Ilario
Spanish
Hilario/a
Popularity Over Time
#2,340
Current Rank
Peaked 1992
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hillary
H
Hilary Duff
Actor
1987
American actress and singer known for Lizzie McGuire and Younger
H
Hillary Swank
Actor
1974
Academy Award-winning actress known for Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby
H
Hillary Clinton
Politician
1947
Former U.S. Secretary of State, Senator, and 2016 presidential candidate
S
Sir Edmund Hillary
Explorer
1919
New Zealand mountaineer who with Tenzing Norgay became the first person to summit Mount Everest in 1953
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,340
- Total SSA Count
- 79
- Cultural Origins
- English American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Hil
Hillie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hillary
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Hillary is also used as a boy name, ranked #19840.
View Hillary as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hillary
What does the name Hillary mean?
"cheerful, merry, joyful" (from Latin). "hilarious, causing laughter" (from Greek via Latin). Hillary (also spelled Hilary) comes from the Latin Hilarius, derived from the Greek 'hilaros' meaning cheerful or joyful. It was the name of a 4th-century bishop of Poitiers who was declared a Doctor of the Church — Saint Hilary of Poitiers. The name was used for both sexes in the Middle Ages, though in modern times it became predominantly feminine in English-speaking countries. Hillary was most popular in the 1970s-1980s.
What is the origin of the name Hillary?
Hillary has Latin, Greek via Latin, English, American, and French origins. In Latin, it means "cheerful, merry, joyful". In Greek via Latin, it means "hilarious, causing laughter".
Is Hillary a boy or girl name?
Hillary is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2340. As a boy name, it is ranked #19840. Hillary is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Hillary?
Hillary is pronounced h-IHL-er-ee.
How popular is the name Hillary?
Hillary is currently ranked #2340 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hillary?
Common nicknames for Hillary include Hil and Hillie.
What are good middle names for Hillary?
Popular middle name pairings include Hillary Ann, Hillary Jane, Hillary Grace, Hillary Marie, Hillary Louise, and Hillary Rose.
What are good sibling names for Hillary?
Names that pair well with Hillary as siblings include Ashley, Courtney, Chelsea, Whitney, Spencer, Reagan, and Blair.
How many syllables does Hillary have?
Hillary has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Hillary a common or rare name?
Hillary is an uncommon name, ranked #2340 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hillary
Hillary is a girl name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "cheerful, merry, joyful" in Latin .
Is Hillary a boy or girl name? Hillary is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,340 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,840. Hillary is more commonly used as a girl name.
Hillary is currently ranked #2,340 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Hillary has 3 syllables and is pronounced h-IHL-er-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Hillary include Hil and Hillie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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