boys' name · peaked 1918

Gilman

Every Gilman since 1887 — 935 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1887Boys
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Gilman
Peak year
1918
34 babies
All-time total
935
since 1887

The story of Gilman

Gilman is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1887, 935 American babies have been named Gilman. Its peak came in 1918, when 34 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gilman stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Gilman year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1995
1990
1985
1980 5 #6,603
1975
1970
1965 6 #3,673
1960 11 #2,593
1955 11 #2,480
1950 9 #2,650
1945 17 #1,651
1940 16 #1,756
1935 18 #1,679
1930 17 #1,851
1925 20 #1,761
1920 19 #1,842
1915 21 #1,526
1910 5 #1,685
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Gilman in 2025?

Gilman did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Gilman?

935 babies have been named Gilman in the United States since 1887, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Gilman most popular?

Gilman peaked in 1918, when 34 newborns received the name.

Is Gilman a boy or girl name?

Gilman is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Gilman rising or falling?

Gilman has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Gilman

Compare Gilman with similar names →