Jilly

Feminine variation of Julian

"youthful"

Jilly Origin and Meaning

The name Jilly is a girl's name.

Jilly is a feminine diminutive of Jill, which itself originated as a medieval nickname for women named Gillian or Julian. The name has a playful, affectionate quality and conveys a sense of youthfulness and charm. While not commonly used as a formal given name, Jilly gained some recognition in the mid-20th century as both a nickname and standalone name. British author Jilly Cooper helped popularize the name through her public persona and widely-read novels. The name has a distinctly British feel to it and remains more common in the United Kingdom than elsewhere. Jilly has a cheerful, spirited quality that makes it an endearing, though uncommon, choice for parents seeking something with vintage appeal.

Famous People Named Jilly

• Jilly Cooper English novelist
• Jill Priscilla "Jilly" Goolden English wine critic, journalist and television personality
• Jilly Johnson English model
• Jilly Curry British skier
• Skye Jilly Edwards, Australian beauty queen; Miss Globe International 1994

The name Jilly in Pop Culture

• Jillian "Jilly" Kitzinger character on TV's "Torchwood"
• Jilly Coppercorn character in "The Onion Girl"