All about the name

Hillarie

Female

« Hillary is an English name originally derived from the Old German Hilarius, meaning "cheerful" or "happy." It has been used for both boys and girls throughout history but is now more strongly associated with female namesakes like Hillary Clinton. »

#14788 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Hillary is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls throughout history. The name's origins can be traced back to the Old German name Hilarius, which means "cheerful" or "happy." This name was borne by several early Christian saints, including Saint Hilary of Arles and Saint Hilary of Poitiers. In medieval England, Hillary became a popular name for both boys and girls. It was often used as a short form of various longer names that began with the same sound, such as Hilarius or Hilburg. Over time, however, Hillary came to be more strongly associated with female namesakes, such as Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady and Secretary of State of the United States. Today, Hillary is still used as both a boy's name and girl's name in English-speaking countries around the world. Its popularity has waxed and waned over the years but remains relatively uncommon compared to many other names. Despite its rarity, Hillary continues to evoke a strong sense of history and tradition, thanks to its ancient origins and association with several important historical figures.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Hillarie since 1880

Total births
329
Total since 1880
Peak year
1992
38 births
in 2011
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years