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Baby names

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Original poster

Gillian?

77 replies

JedediahBila · 02/07/2018 17:55

Just that really - really like Gillian, as does dh, but friends think it's too middle-aged. Does anyone know any under the age of 25?

We also like Lillian.

OP posts:
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gillybeanz · 02/07/2018 22:03

I think you should use what you are happy with tbh.

Yes, it's an old name but so is Lilly, Eve, and Evelyn has become popular and I knew people in their 80's with this nam when I was a child, so at least 40 years ago.
At least half a dozen kids won't answer to her name when she starts school Grin

TheRedHatofPatFerrick · 02/07/2018 22:14

Surprisingly, I like it.

Failingat40 · 02/07/2018 22:26

If you're wanting to pronounce the name as 'Jillian' then why not call her 'Jillian'? Confused

Gillian has a hard G not J sound so it should be pronounced as Gil (fish gil)-leanne

I only know of one woman who calls herself Gil

gillybeanz · 02/07/2018 22:36

Because Gillian is pronounced the same as Jillian, nobody ever got mine wrong, or even asked how it's pronounced as they know it's the same.

I did meet one woman once who pronounced it differently but she was Scottish and said that's how they said it.

LoveInTokyo · 03/07/2018 07:50

Since when does Gillian have a hard G? Confused

All the Gillians I know pronounce it like Jillian. Gillian with a hard G sounds made up.

I think it is a bit dated but I still like if, and she’ll be unusual in her generation. There was a Barbara in my class at school who was either two generations behind the times or one generation ahead of her time, depending on how you look at it.

I don’t like Lillian, I think that’s much more of an old lady name (not in a good way) and I know a dreadful one.

StrawberryCat · 03/07/2018 07:55

I know a 52 year old Gillian (pronounced like Jill). I think it's really lovely, very pretty, and awesome nickname potential!

Childrenofthesun · 03/07/2018 08:00

I like it and don't think it sounds as dated as other names of that era.

Childrenofthesun · 03/07/2018 08:01

I also know two Gillians and neither of them pronounce it with a hard "G"!

IVflytrap · 03/07/2018 08:01

Gillian has a hard G not J sound so it should be pronounced as Gil (fish gil)-leanne

No it doesn't, it has a soft sound, just like a J. It's an old name that originally derives from the Italian girl's name Giuliana, which also has the soft G sound. I'm sure someone somewhere pronounces it with a hard G, but that's a distinct variation from the original. All the Gillians I've ever heard of use the original pronounciation.

OP, in a see of Olivias, Amelias and variations on Eve, I would find it incredibly refreshing to be introduced to a baby Gillian. Smile

sexnotgender · 03/07/2018 08:02

I like it and don’t think it’s dated!

UrsulaPandress · 03/07/2018 08:03

Every Gillian I know pronounces it with a soft g. Never heard it with a hard g.

dancingunicorns123 · 03/07/2018 08:19

Gillian is pronounced J-illian

Original poster
JedediahBila · 03/07/2018 09:42

Where I live, Gillian is pronounced with a soft G like Georgina.

I've only ever met one Gillian with a hard G, and she was Scottish, so maybe that's how they pronounce it.

OP posts:
ZolaShepherd · 03/07/2018 10:04

I’ve only ever met ‘Jillians’

It’s really bad sorry, but then I was horrified that David Mitchell and his wife called a precious newborn Barbara.

Lillian is better. Lily is timeless IMO. Gillian is McKeith.

RedDwarves · 03/07/2018 10:41

Not a fan. I would automatically pronounce it like Jillian, but have heard the hard G here in Australia a couple of times, so wouldn't be confident that she wouldn't spend her life correcting people.

I love Lillian though.

MikeUniformMike · 03/07/2018 11:02

I don't like it. Jillian is awful. Just Jill is lovely.

CherryBlossom23 · 03/07/2018 11:08

I don't love Gillian but it's far better than Lillian. I know a few Gillians in their late 20s/early 30s. That's in Ireland though where it seemed to have a bit of a resurgence in the 90s. There was quite a few Gillians in my secondary school.

DramaAlpaca · 03/07/2018 11:47

It's a nice name. The only Gillians I know are in their 50s.

I prefer it spelled with a G than a J.

I like Lillian too.

kaytee87 · 03/07/2018 12:10

I think it's pretty dated to be honest.

MariaMadita · 03/07/2018 12:25

Lillian is really lovely imo :) I also like Gillian.

But I'm not keen on Jillian. (At all....)

BeakyPlinder · 03/07/2018 13:00

You lot will be telling me you pronounce Stephen and Steven differently next...! Reminds me of that Michael McIntyre sketch if anybody knows it.

OP if you like Gillian then you call your child it, there will always be people who do and don't like all names.

Wishing you a happy healthy baby XX

MariaMadita · 03/07/2018 16:06

@BealyPlinder

I do. But I grew up in Germany... (And know a few Stephans/Stefans.)

Sabistick · 03/07/2018 16:13

The only gillian i've ever met was really sound, I would have no problem with a newborn using the name. It's friendly, evergreen and it's shortened forms are good too. It's youthful, go for it.

Reetabiscuiteater · 03/07/2018 16:21

I knew a Gillian in school, shortened to Gill. My cousin is Jillian but goes by a completely different nickname by the family. Her friends still call her Jillian. I prefer the second spelling. Haven't heard it for ages. Though I was surprised when a school Mum named her daughter Jenny fairly recently too but they are still pretty names

Benandhollysmum · 04/07/2018 02:19

Went to school with 2 Gillian’s
If names such as ivy and isabel are coming back and those are old lady names then Gillian should be fine
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