Girl · 269th of 27,321
Hillary
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
30,239
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1992
Peak Popularity Year
2,528
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Hillary stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Hillary is a name of Latin origin, meaning cheerful or happy. It evolved from the Latin Hilarius to the modern English form. The name is associated with strong traits and has gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly through notable figures. There is no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈhɪlərɪ/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Hillary is derived from the Latin name 'Hilarius', meaning 'cheerful' or 'happy'. It is related to the Latin word 'hilaris'.
Meaning
cheerful, happy
Language Evolution
Hilarius (Latin), Hillary (English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity during the 20th century, particularly in the English-speaking world, influenced by notable figures such as Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Variants & Derivatives
Hilaria, Hilly, Hilary
Modern Popularity & Image
Hillary is often perceived as a strong and assertive name, associated with leadership and political engagement due to its association with prominent public figures.
Famous People
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sir Edmund Hillary
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,528 peak births in 1992
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Vermont
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 6 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1791st of 7545 | 296 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1883rd of 6773 | 272 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1904th of 7552 | 329 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2877th of 10718 | 195 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5665th of 16616 | 117 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 16764th of 24088 | 22 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4897th of 9204 | 58 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1183rd of 12526 | 1,457 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 534th of 19264 | 5,651 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 269th of 27321 | 16,703 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 980th of 35406 | 3,970 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2049th of 30306 | 1,133 |