Tillis
A variant spelling of the Scandinavian name Tilli, meaning "mighty battle".
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Tillis. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Tillis today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Tillis births was 1917 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Tillis. 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 Tillis. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1917
5 babies that year
Average age
-
1917 SSA rank
#4,526
Tracked since 1917
Popularity
Tillis: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Tillis 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 Tillis during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Tillis
The name Tillis has its roots in the ancient Germanic languages, with origins dating back to the early medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old High German word "till," meaning "brave" or "courageous." The name was particularly prevalent in regions now encompassed by modern-day Germany and parts of central Europe.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tillis can be traced back to the 8th century, when it appeared in the Frankish Annals, a collection of historical records from the Carolingian dynasty. The name was mentioned in reference to a nobleman named Tillis, who served as a trusted advisor to Charlemagne, the King of the Franks and the first ruler of the Holy Roman Empire.
In the 11th century, the name Tillis gained further prominence with the birth of Tillis von Andernach, a German nobleman and military commander who played a significant role in the Crusades. He was renowned for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield, and his name became synonymous with valor and chivalry.
The 13th century saw the rise of Tillis von Kölln, a prominent German poet and lyricist whose works were widely celebrated during the Middle High German literary period. His poetic compositions, often focused on themes of love and courtly romance, were influential in shaping the cultural landscape of the time.
In the 15th century, Tillis von Trier, a German monk and scholar, gained recognition for his contributions to the study of theology and philosophy. His writings and teachings were widely disseminated throughout Europe, and he was respected for his intellectual prowess and spiritual insights.
Another noteworthy figure bearing the name Tillis was Tillis von Eisenach, a 16th-century German artist and engraver whose intricate woodcuts and etchings captured the vivid imagery of the Renaissance period. His works were highly sought after by noble patrons and art collectors, and they continue to be celebrated for their artistic mastery and historical significance.
These are just a few examples of the individuals who have carried the name Tillis throughout history, each leaving their mark on various aspects of society, from military affairs and literature to art and scholarship. The name's enduring presence serves as a testament to its rich cultural heritage and the courage and accomplishments of those who bore it.
People
Tillis + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Tillis as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Tillis: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Tillis?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Tillis 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 - US residents.
Is Tillis a common name?
We classify Tillis as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Tillis most popular?
The single biggest year for Tillis was 1917, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Tillis is about 0 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Tillis in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Tillis a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Tillis in the SSA data are male. 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.
Is Tillis still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Tillis in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Tillis can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Tillis?
See how many people share the name Tillis on HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site built around that single question.