Boys' name · since 1900
Gillis
Since 1900, U.S. Social Security records show 712 babies named Gillis, peaking in 1923. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.
- #6,373 of 45,481
- all-time among boys
- 712
- born since 1900
- 1920s
- peak decade
Gillis sits outside today's top ranks for boys, with 712 recorded since 1900.
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Gillis has been recorded 712 times among boys since 1900, though it is not among the currently most-used boys names, with its heaviest use in the 1920s. This profile covers year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution, all derived directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1900 to 2001.
- #6,373 of 45,481 all-time among boys
- 712 born since 1900
- 1920s peak decade
Data updated Aug 2026
The verdict
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Gillis ranks #6,373 of 45,481 boys' names by all-time recorded births (highest first). 712 born since 1900, peaking in the 1920s.
- #6,373 of 45,481
- all-time among boys
- 712
- born since 1900
- 1920s
- peak decade
Gillis's 712 recorded births place it above 85.97% of the 45,481 boys names in the full SSA archive.
The state file records this name in 4 jurisdictions, led by Kentucky.
Gillis's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Divide Gillis's SSA record in two at 1942 and the more recent half accounts for 46% of all births, the earlier half the remaining 54%, a genuinely balanced usage pattern. Its calmest year was 1900, with only 5 births recorded -- set against the 1923 peak of 20, that's the full swing in one name's fortunes.
Gillis popularity over time
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1900–2001
- Peak year (1923)
- 20
- Annual births at peak, across 102 years of records
Gillis by decade
1920s is the heaviest window (138 births, 19% of the file).
1920s was Gillis's strongest decade.
138 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 19% of all-time use.
Gillis births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1900s 10
1900s
10 births
- 1910s
1910s
98 births
- 1920s
1920s
138 births
- 1930s
1930s
117 births
- 1940s
1940s
120 births
- 1950s
1950s
127 births
- 1960s
1960s
61 births
- 1970s 25
1970s
25 births
- 1980s 10
1980s
10 births
- 2000s 6
2000s
6 births
What this shows Peak: 1920s at 138 births (19% of all-time use).
How Gillis compares to similarly-sized names
Years in SSA records vs. share of all-time use concentrated in the single peak year, among 15 boys names closest to Gillis's total volume
Gillis by state
Where Gillis concentrates geographically, total births since 1900
| Rank | State | Visual share | Births | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kentucky | | 16 | 2.2% |
| #2 | Alabama | | 8 | 1.1% |
| #3 | Louisiana | | 5 | 0.7% |
| #4 | Texas | | 5 | 0.7% |
16 of 712 births nationwide. Compared to a flat distribution across 4 reporting states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Gillis? ▼
Where does Gillis sit in the SSA name archive? ▼
When was Gillis most popular? ▼
Where is Gillis most popular? ▼
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What to do with Gillis's data
- Gillis's decade-level peak was the 1920s (138 total births); usage has since declined to 6 in the 2000s -- if you're weighing a "classic revival" angle, the trend line argues against it.
- Kentucky records the most Gilliss (16 births) -- see the full state breakdown if geography matters to your decision. Kentucky names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Gillis
Nearby Names Like Gillis
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Gillis
Compare Gillis side by side: Gillis vs Gilbert Gillis vs Gilberto Gillis vs Gil
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Nationwide names with similar peak year or record span
Two nationwide peer axes for Gillis: closest SSA peak year, and closest first→latest record span. Distinct from the spelling and current-rank neighborhoods above.
Similar peak year (~1923)
Similar record span (~101 yrs)
Peak year is the single SSA year with the most births for that name; record span is first-to-latest year in the national files, not a recommendation or shared origin claim.
Data Sources
Data as of August 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1900–2001 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Gillis draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.