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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Gillian

30 replies

Gitzpoll · 19/02/2017 16:41

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?

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treaclesoda · 19/02/2017 16:44

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. Smile

NoArmaniNoPunani · 19/02/2017 16:46

My first thought is Gillian McKeith.

MinisWin · 19/02/2017 16:51

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

WyfOfBathe · 19/02/2017 16:56

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 · 19/02/2017 16:58

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 · 19/02/2017 17:01

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 · 19/02/2017 17:03

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 · 19/02/2017 17:23

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 · 19/02/2017 17:39

I don't like it either.

KlingybunFistelvase · 19/02/2017 17:40

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 · 19/02/2017 17:43

Gilly sounds better

Loyly · 19/02/2017 17:45

I really dislike it, sorry.

RiaOverTheRainbow · 19/02/2017 17:52

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 · 19/02/2017 17:57

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 · 19/02/2017 18:08

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 · 19/02/2017 19:28

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 · 19/02/2017 19:51

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

Thelastusername · 19/02/2017 19:53

It sounds frumpy and boring.

MikeUniformMike · 19/02/2017 19:55

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

EggsEleven · 19/02/2017 20:10

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

lljkk · 19/02/2017 20:13

Gillian Anderson. Can't get classier than herself.

oleoleoleole · 19/02/2017 20:17

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.

Original poster
Gitzpoll · 19/02/2017 20:24

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. Smile 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.

OP posts:
MiddlingMum · 19/02/2017 21:25

I love it Smile 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 · 19/02/2017 21:32

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