Gilian as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Gilian

What is the meaning of the name Gilian ?

The baby name Gilian is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈdʒɪliən/ (JIL-ee-ən).

Gilian is English in Origin.

Gilian is an English variant of Gillian, the medieval vernacular form of Juliana, carried into Middle English through Anglo-Norman. In early records, I, J, and soft G overlapped in spelling, so Gilian coexisted with forms like Gillian and Jilian while keeping a “J” sound. Ultimately it goes back to Latin Iuliana, from the Julian family name Iulius, commonly interpreted as “youthful” or “downy-bearded.”

The name was widespread for women in late medieval England, giving rise to the pet forms Gill and Jill; the latter fed the nursery couple “Jack and Jill.” Gilian as a spelling is rare today, though Gillian peaked in Britain in the mid-20th century and Jillian rose in North America. Notable variants and cognates include Gillian, Jillian, Juliana, Juliane, Giuliana, and Yuliana; the masculine counterpart is Julian. Nicknames include Gil/Gill and Jill.