Hilaree
A feminine name meaning "cheerful, merry" of English origin.
Name Census estimates that about 42 living Americans carry the first name Hilaree. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Hilaree today is around 37 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Hilaree births was 1992 (9 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Hilaree. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Hilaree. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
42
~ 1 in 8,160,818 Americans
Peak year
1992
9 babies that year
Average age
37
years old
1993 SSA rank
#14,307
Tracked since 1980
Popularity
Hilaree: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Hilaree from the 1980s through to the 1990s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 27 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Hilaree by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Hilaree during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Hilaree
The name Hilaree is believed to have its origins in the Celtic languages, particularly Welsh and Cornish. It is derived from the Old Welsh word "hilari," meaning "cheerful" or "merry." This name was likely in use as early as the 6th century AD, during the height of the Celtic cultures in the British Isles.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hilaree comes from the 9th century AD, when it was mentioned in the Book of Llandaff, an ancient Welsh manuscript. This document contains various charters and records from the region, including references to individuals bearing the name Hilaree.
In the medieval period, the name Hilaree gained popularity among the Welsh nobility and gentry. It was often associated with individuals known for their jovial and light-hearted personalities. One notable figure from this time was Hilaree ap Rhys (c. 1150-1220), a Welsh nobleman and warrior who fought alongside Llywelyn the Great, a prominent prince of Gwynedd.
As the name spread beyond Wales, it also found its way into religious texts and records. In the 12th century, a monk named Hilaree of Poitiers was known for his theological writings and contributions to the Catholic Church.
During the Renaissance period, the name Hilaree was adopted by various artists and intellectuals. One such figure was Hilaree de Gondi (1522-1600), a French noblewoman and patron of the arts who supported many renowned painters and sculptors of her time.
In the 19th century, the name Hilaree gained further recognition with the birth of Hilaree Belloc (1870-1953), a renowned English writer, historian, and philosopher. His works, including "The Path to Rome" and "The Servile State," have had a lasting impact on literature and political thought.
Another notable bearer of the name was Hilaree Clinton (1898-1981), an American actress and singer who appeared in several Broadway productions and films during the early 20th century.
These are just a few examples of the rich history and diverse individuals who have carried the name Hilaree throughout the centuries. While its origins can be traced back to the Celtic cultures of ancient Britain, the name has transcended borders and found resonance in various parts of the world, reflecting its enduring appeal and the universal appreciation for cheerfulness and merriment.
People
Hilaree + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Hilaree as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with H
Other first names starting with H with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Hilaree: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Hilaree?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 42 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Hilaree going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 8,160,818 US residents.
Is Hilaree a common name?
We classify Hilaree as "Very Rare". It ranks above 51.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 44 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Hilaree most popular?
The single biggest year for Hilaree was 1992, when 9 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Hilaree is about 37 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Hilaree a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Hilaree in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.