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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.

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JustDoOne · 04/07/2018 02:21

My bestie is called Gillian. She's the most wonderful human being I know. She is 40.

Whitesea · 04/07/2018 02:28

I'm not a fan of cutesy names but I still would not choose Gill/Gillian. It is very dated and is neither pretty or interesting.

Mousefunky · 05/07/2018 11:13

It hasn’t aged very well. I’ve never met one under 50. It’s always on a middle aged or elderly woman and they always go by Gill. Lillian is better.

grannycab · 05/07/2018 11:19

Love it, the one i know is 27 and has has some lovely nicknames from different groups of friends .

Zoflorabore · 05/07/2018 11:23

I think it's awful sorry op but so is my own name so who am I to judge?!

I think it's quite harsh sounding.

It will definitely be unique though so on that front it's good.

Most Gillian's I know are mid to late forties.

Icklepup · 05/07/2018 11:26

Makes me think of Gillian McKeith and I don't like it.

diedyediedye · 05/07/2018 11:27

No please don't do it!

Baubletrouble43 · 05/07/2018 11:27

Lillian yes
Gillian no

HJL2506 · 05/07/2018 13:50

My middle name is Jill and I'm 31. I've never liked it.

But if it's a name you and DH love go for it 😁

user1485342611 · 05/07/2018 14:47

Gillian is lovely and Jill is even nicer - reminds me of old fashioned children's books and stories in comics like Aunty. I think it will definitely make a come back and you could be ahead of the curve.

user1485342611 · 05/07/2018 14:47

Comics like Bunty

LostwithSawyer · 05/07/2018 22:51

Awful and old fashioned.

Joeybee · 06/07/2018 09:29

Don't worry about what other people thing. It will sound a dated name to people because it was popular about 40 ish years ago. What does that really matter though?
People will get used to the name and the baby will make the name her own.
Personally I love a lot of names that people would consider dated, but I think if you and your OH have found a name you both like, then go for it. Also the name may sound dated to your friends/family, but to the childs friends, the name will sound unique and different. She won't be one of 5 in her class.

GinisLife · 06/07/2018 09:34

It's a lovely name. But then I'm biased as it's my name. And yes I'm old. But as I'm only 26 in my head that doesn't matter. My Nan was Lillian. It's pronounced with a soft G but my grandad always pronounced it with a hard G. I'm known as Gilly to a lot of people though

TatianaLarina · 06/07/2018 09:39

I think they’re both too middle aged. And dowdy.

Dumbledoresgirl · 06/07/2018 09:47

I'm early 50s and one of my school friends was a Gillian, pronounced as with a J. I have never until today heard of Gillian with a hard G. I admit if I were to go with the name, I would spell it with a J and cut the ian off the end, ie Jill. We have so many Jacks, why not a Jill?

Personally, I think Lillian is prettier, but i am not au fait with baby naming right now as my children are all teenage or adult, and I am not aware of the current fad for Lily. I can see that if you named your child Lillian, she may well become one of many Lilys in school.

IfNot · 06/07/2018 09:48

I think it's pretty. Yes it was popular 50 years so but so what? Gilly is a lovely nickname. Or Ginny?
I think it puts people off because it reminds them of women in their 50s (gross eh?)Hmm. Whatever your name is you make it your own though and little Gillian would be very cute.

MariaMadita · 06/07/2018 09:51

I really like Gillian (with a soft g).

Gilly and Ginny are lovely nns imo.
I don't like Jillian. It looks spikier / harsher.

Lillian is really lovely as well.

Kokeshi123 · 06/07/2018 09:54

I think it could grow on me. Jill is super cute.

Popchyk · 06/07/2018 09:55

I think it is normally pronounced with a J in the UK. I've certainly not heard it pronounced with a hard G here. Like Gemma is pronounced Jemma, not with a hard G.

Gillian Flynn, the American author who wrote Gone Girl, pronounces it with a hard G. Maybe that pronunciation is more common in the US?

Frankwindsor · 06/07/2018 09:59

I went to school with quite a lot of Gillians. To me, it seems old-fashioned and sort of twee. My grandmother was Lillian. But whatever name you choose, I guess there's someone there to sneer at it, so go with what you like.

dontcallmelen · 07/07/2018 20:36

I think it’s lovely, I have a cousin callled Gillian she is as mad as a box though, but the sweetest person ever we call her Jill or Jilly.

ButterflyOfFreedom · 07/07/2018 20:38

I know of two- both in their late 30s.

I'm not a fan tbh. I do like Lillian though.

NordicNobody · 07/07/2018 22:23

I know a Gillian who's 21 - also from NI

jmh740 · 07/07/2018 22:33

I have a aunty Jillian (jill) and a aunty Gillian both pronounced the same, and worked with a gill soft g all now in their 50s

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