Gillian

See also: gillian

English

Alternative forms

• Jillian

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒɪliən/, /ˈd͡ʒɪljən/, (some women) /ˈɡɪl-/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

  Rhymes: -ɪljən

Proper noun

Gillian

1. A female given name from Latin. Medieval variant of Julian and Juliana, revived and quite popular in Britain in the mid-twentieth century.
   • c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:

     Dromio of Ephesus. Maud, Bridget, Marian, Cicely, Gillian, Ginn!
     Dromio of Syracuse. Mome, malt-horse, capon, coxcomb, idiot, patch! - - -
     Dost thou conjure for wenches, that thou call'st for such a store

   • 1994, Floyd Skloot, Summer Blue, Story Line press, →ISBN, page 98:

     "Just Jill, I'm afraid." "Would you prefer if it was Gillian?" "Oh, I think so. Gillian sounds so much fancier." "Fancy?" Terrence said. He smiled at her. "Or perhaps it sounds flashy?" "Royal," Richard said. "Flowery," Terrence added. "You could say Gillian was more flowery. That would fit. What about you, Corrie, what does it sound like to you?" "Rich," Corrie glanced at Jill. "Gillian sounds richer than Jill."

Derived terms

• Gill