Gillian or Jillian?

I prefer the pronunciation with a soft g sound, but I like that [name]Gillian[/name] is the traditional spelling. Worried about pronunciation problems. Does [name]Jillian[/name] seem too much like a “made up” name to you?

I like the looks of [name]Gillian[/name] better. I think it’s a well-known name and pronunciation shouldn’t be much of a problem.

[name]Jillian[/name] does not look or sound made up at all. In fact, as nameberry states, is 4 times as popular as [name]Gillian[/name], so it’s pretty much the preferred spelling in the US. I like the look of [name]Gillian[/name], but i do know one woman who goes by the hard G pronunciation so there might be times when clarification is neccessary. I know a bunch of Jillians though (and two Gillians) all who have never had any issues with their names.

My sister is named [name]Gillian[/name] with the [name]Jill[/name] sound and we have never had issues with people using gill sound.

[name]Julia[/name] comes from the same root and is spelled with a J. So while [name]Gillian[/name] might be more historically accurate - [name]Jillian[/name] is an accepted spelling.

[name]Just[/name] a question - [name]Do[/name] Gillians spell their nns [name]Jill[/name]?

Yes!

I prefer [name]Jillian[/name]. I’m never quite sure how to pronounce [name]Gillian[/name], because I once knew someone who pronounced it with the hard G. I don’t consider [name]Jillian[/name] made up because it’s been used for a long time.

I prefer the classic [name]Gillian[/name] as well. [name]Jillian[/name] looks like an elaboration of [name]Jill[/name].

My Mum is [name]Jillian[/name], but I know two others one a [name]Gillian[/name] and one a [name]Jillian[/name].
I prefer [name]Jillian[/name] visually.

[name]Jillian[/name].
To have a quick look at [name]Gillian[/name], like a teacher marking the roll or something, the ‘g’ might get pronounced as a ‘g’ not a ‘j’
then she will be pronounced like the gills on a fish.

it happened to a girl that i went to school with.

I think that if your going to stay with the name [name]Gillian[/name] no nickname it is very pretty, but if your going to end up calling her [name]Gill[/name] I would pronounce that (GUILL)(like Gilligans Island) and I would go with [name]Jillian[/name] nn [name]Jill[/name] which is also very pretty!!

I like the looks of [name]Jillian[/name] better - [name]Gillian[/name], while completely recognizable, still always reminds me of the gills on a fish. Plus I believe that Gillians still spell their nns [name]Jill[/name] - correct me if I am wrong - and so [name]Jillian[/name] just seems to make more sense

It’s a beautiful name either way

I prefer [name]Jillian[/name]. I have a close friend with that name and spelling and she loves it.

I have always prefered [name]Gillian[/name]. This is because I’m not a fan of the nn [name]Jill[/name]. I think if you like the nn [name]Jill[/name], spell it with a J, if not, spell it with a G.

I don’t think [name]Jillian[/name] with a J looks made up, probably becuase 4 [name]Jillian[/name]'s I know spell it with a J., only 1 person I know named [name]Jillian[/name] spells in with a G. Either one is fine, it is a lovely name.However some people might assume it is spelled with a J instead of G.

I think for [name]Gillian[/name] it can go both ways, but I prefer the soft G pronunciation. That being said, [name]Jillian[/name] has the nickname [name]Jill[/name] while [name]Gillian[/name] has…[name]Gill[/name]? That’s where the pronunciation problems arise. But I know an older [name]Gillian[/name] from [name]England[/name], so I guess the G spelling is more common there. But in the US, [name]Jillian[/name] is more common. I personally like [name]Gillian[/name] more, simply because it’s the original and I like the look of it. [name]Jillian[/name] isn’t really made up because by now it’s been quite established, but I still prefer [name]Gillian[/name]. If I were ever to use [name]Gillian[/name], I would give her the nickname [name]Gilly[/name] so it’s more clear on the pronunciation.

My daughter is a [name]Gillian[/name]. The soft g always throws non-native speakers off. We live in the southwest, so this is encountered fairly frequently. However, I wouldn’t change the traditional spelling for anything.

We have chosen the name [name]Jillian[/name] for our daughter due in [name]May[/name]. I have often asked myself this same question. Part of me wants to spell it [name]Gillian[/name] because it is more “traditionally correct”. But I think we will go with [name]Jillian[/name] because it will be easier on her to have the more common spelling in the US. I also want her to have the option of using [name]Jill[/name] or [name]Jillie[/name] if she wants to. Also, we chose the name to honor my sister and aunt who are both [name]Julie[/name]. So [name]Jillian[/name] seems closer to [name]Julie[/name] than [name]Gillian[/name] does, especially since they are both based on the name [name]Julian[/name]/[name]Julius[/name].

My husband works with a [name]Gillian[/name] who is in [name]England[/name]. He says she sometimes signs her name [name]Gill[/name] and people assume she is a man named [name]Gil[/name], like a fish gill.

I like [name]Gillian[/name]. It looks more distinctive to me. And I think it would be less likely to be nicknamed than [name]Jillian[/name]. That being said, if you like the nn, you could definitely still spell [name]Jill[/name] with a J even if its short for [name]Gillian[/name] with a G. Afterall some Geralds go by [name]Jerry[/name], and some Geoffreys go by [name]Jeff[/name].

[name]Gillian[/name]. Feels more sophisticated and exotic. Could be especially good if you want to avoid the nickname [name]Jill[/name].