Gillian

[Gitzpoll]

What does everyone think? It doesn't seem to be very popular at all but I can't work out why. Is there something weird about this name I haven't spotted?

[treaclesoda]

It's a perfectly OK name I think it just isn't popular because these things tend to go in cycles. Loads of Gillians (and Karens, and Lisas, and Joannes etc) are in their 30s and 40s now so people just view it as a bit dated rather than 'vintage' like the older names.

But there's nothing wrong with it. These things just go in cycles.

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

My first thought is Gillian McKeith.

[MinisWin]

I know several Gillians, mainly late 20s/early 30s. I think it's a lovely name and they're all lovely people!

[WyfOfBathe]

I like it, but it's a name I associate with people in their 40s.

I think generally names become popular again once most of the people who previously held that name are very old or dead, e.g. Florence, Elsie, Nancy

[Blossomdeary]

It is just fine. But do not do what someone I knew did and insist it is pronounced with a hard G, as in give. It just sounded silly.

I also know someone who is called Janice and insists that it is pronounced Janees. Hmm.

[Sung]

Not sure...I know a Gillian in her forties, one in her seventies and a Jillian in her eighties.
I prefer Jillian I think.

[LaundryQueenHatesBunfights]

I don't like it at all I'm afraid. For some inexplicable reason it has always reminded me of cheese and onion crisps.

Not helpful at all, of course, if you like it you should go for it though!

[Neverknowing]

I really dont like it! I think it's a bit dated but then my DD has an 'older' name that I guess some people probably don't like!!

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

I don't like it either.

[KlingybunFistelvase]

I don't really like the sound of it very much. I know two and I don't really like either of them - one was a bully at school and the other has sone dodgy political views and a nasty streak a mile wide! So in brief, I don't like it due to negative associations and the sound of it which I find a bit unattractive.

[FriendofBill]

Gilly sounds better

[Loyly]

I really dislike it, sorry.

[RiaOverTheRainbow]

I like it a lot. It's very likely at least some people would call her Gill or Gilly though so I'd only use it if you like those nicknames too.

[nooka]

I know two lovely ladies called Jill/Jilly/Jillian and Gill/Gillian. Both in their 40s. I think it's just a generational thing, and so doesn't seem like a name for a baby/little girl. Give it another 30 years and it may well go throguh another round of popularity.

This only goes back to 1996, but you can seen the slide even from there. The plus point is that it's an easily recognised name that is very unlikely to be shared.

[EggsEleven]

I work with plenty but they're all in their late 30s or 40s/50s. It's not really a name that I'm keen on for women that age never mind a baby.

[Ordinarily]

I'm not keen, but there's nothing wrong with it. I quite like some of the names from a similar era which are underused now.

Lillian?

[Wafflenose]

I know one who is about 12, and think it's quite nice.

[Thelastusername]

It sounds frumpy and boring.

[MikeUniformMike]

It's the name of someone over 60. I don't like it but I do like Jill.

[EggsEleven]

I don't like Gillian but I do quite like Lillian as suggested above. A nice alternative to the incredibly overused Lily.

[lljkk]

Gillian Anderson. Can't get classier than herself.

[oleoleoleole]

It's my name, I love it but I'm in my late forties! I mainly get Gill but one part of the family call me Gilly. The only thing I'd say is the common spelling is G not J.

[Gitzpoll]

I'm going to come clean and admit that this is my name. I was intrigued to find out why my name is so very unused at the moment (only 3 girls in 2015 according to the ONS - the same number as honeysuckle! Ok if you don't mind having suckle as part of your name).

I've always loved my name. My mum picked it in 1985 because she wanted a less usual name. I've only met a handful of Gillians of any age. It's shortened to Gill a lot, which I think sounds fun, but I like the way the full version sounds too.

Thanks for your feedback, especially the cheese and onion crisps comment. I've always been more of a salt and vinegar McCoys kind of girl. Names take on the character of people we know with that name so I'm not in the least offended by anyone who doesn't like it.

Also, my nan was Lillian. A lovely name but not something I could pick for my child, for obvious reasons.

[MiddlingMum]

I love it I love names like Julie, Gillian, Alison, Amanda, but they don't seem to be in favour at all at the moment.

The only Gillians I know are lovely.

[RueDeWakening]

My mum would be thrilled if it sounds like the name of someone in their 40s, she's in her late 60s (and is a Gillian!)