Meaning & History
Etymology and Origins
Jill is an English feminine given name that originated as a short form of Gillian or Jillian. Gillian itself is a medieval English feminine form of Julian, which derives from the Roman name Iulianus, itself derived from Julius. The name Julian was borne by several early saints as well as the 4th-century Roman emperor Julian the Apostate. Gillian has been in use since the 13th century, though it was not considered a distinct name from Julian until the 17th century.
Cultural Significance
By the 15th century, the name Jill had become so common in England that it gained an "everygirl" quality, most famously appearing in the nursery rhyme "Jack and Jill." However, by the 17th century, the name acquired a derogatory connotation, being used as a term for a "common street jade" implying promiscuous sexual behavior, which led to a decline in usage. The name saw a resurgence in the 20th century, being most popular in English-speaking countries from the 1930s to the 1970s. It also remains well-used in the Netherlands.
Notable Bearers
Several notable women bear the name Jill, including Jill Abramson (born 1954), the first female executive editor of The New York Times; Jill Andrew, a Canadian politician; Jill Andrews (born 1980), an American singer-songwriter; Jill Astbury, an Australian researcher into violence against women; and Jill Balcon (1925–2009), a British actress.
Related Names
Variants of Jill include Gill. Diminutives include Jillie and Jilly. The masculine form is Julian. In other languages and cultures, cognates include Iuliana (Romanian), Juliana (Spanish), Ulyana (Ukrainian), Yuliana (Ukrainian), Yuliyana (Bulgarian), and Julijana (Slovene).
- Meaning: Short form of Gillian (derived from Julian)
- Origin: English
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage regions: Primarily English-speaking countries; also Netherlands
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Jill