I’m leaning towards the spelling [name_f]Jillian[/name_f], and middle name would likely be [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f], would it just be too Millennial sounding?
I like the nickname [name_f]Jilly[/name_f] a lot (Jillybean is super adorable) and I enjoy that it has similar nickname type options to my son:
I think I like it so much because it’s similar ish to [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] in cadence and J/soft G sounds but is more likely to be pronounced or spelt right as it’s more familiar in the US.
Last - [name_f]My[/name_f] husband’s name is a spelling variation of [name_m]Ian[/name_m], do you think his name being in hers will be an issue? I feel like within the family she would be [name_f]Jilly[/name_f] most often but idk
I prefer [name_f]Jillian[/name_f], I don’t think would be a problem that your husbands name is a version of [name_m]Ian[/name_m], it would actually be a cute subtle connection between the two names
[name_f]Jillian[/name_f] is lovely - you don’t hear it very often, [name_f]Jilly[/name_f] is super cute and I don’t think the [name_m]Ian[/name_m] thing is too big a deal
Jillian is my preferred spelling! I just think the j is softer and looks visually prettier. Also I feel the nickname Jilly is more intuitive with Jillian spelling. Jillian was never really on my radar until I saw tons of posts from @lilyofthevale this berry has really resulted in me loving Jillian!
Jillian is sweet, cosy, has this nostalgic vintage vibe and feels more midcentury in a cottagecore way rather than mad men. She’s just very sweet! I think the Jillian/Ian thing is a non issue. I think Stephanie is also a laid back friendly name that does feel 90s in a charming way. Jillian Stephanie is sweet but does feel a little millennial. I think for me I would pair Jillian with a more ‘modern’ name I actually thought maybe Jillian Persephone (a twist on Stephanie) would feel a little more modern.
I really like Jillian!! I know that [name_f]Gillian[/name_f] is pronounced the same way, but my brain always wants to say it with a hard G and I have to consciously tell myself not to think of it or say it that way. I do think some people would say it with a hard G if she were named [name_f]Gillian[/name_f].
I would def have [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] on my list if my husband was on board! I think it’s a lovely classic, doesn’t feel too dated to me.
For what it’s worth, I was just in a meeting today where a senior coworker kept saying [name_f]Gillian[/name_f] with a hard G (like a fish’s gil). It made me cringe so much! I would imagine she’s not the only one that would default to that pronunciation so maybe assess how much that would bother you!
Funny, my husband actually likes the hard G pronunciation and prefers [name_f]Gilly[/name_f] to [name_f]Jilly[/name_f] but I told him while some do use that pronunciation, majority would assume it’s said the same as [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] so I just wouldn’t want to use a name like that lol fortunately he like [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] too
Just to avoid any confusion in regards to pronunciation, I’d go with Jillian!
I personally do see it as a little older – a Jillian in my head is in her late 30s to late 50s? But I don’t think it feels so dated that it couldn’t work on a little girl or anything like that! As for your husband’s name, I think it’s fine!
I think [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] as a daughter of [name_m]Ian[/name_m] (or [name_m]Iain[/name_m], however spelled), is kind of a cute nod – but I doubt anyone will notice, since the “ian” of [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] is really not emphasized very strongly when it’s said aloud. It definitely wouldn’t rule out the name for me, at any rate!
I was curious so I looked it up. [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] peaked in popularity in 1982, but it was only #96 at that time, so not super super popular. It was in the 100s until 2010, and then it’s fallen quite sharply, down to #956 in 2020 and not in the top 1000 2021-2023. I honestly find it surprising that it’s not even ranked currently. I still think it’s a really nice choice.
[name_f]Jillian[/name_f] and [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] go great! I find [name_f]Gillian[/name_f] really dated, but then I don’t with [name_f]Jillian[/name_f]. I also don’t think it would be an issue with ‘Ian’ as, like PP said, the -ian isn’t emphasised.
I love [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] and [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] together. I think it works. I like the J spelling better than the G spelling.
No I don’t think that the husband’s name / daughter’s name thing would be an issue, most people won’t notice (especially if they’re not spelled the same) and if anything it’s kind of a cute nod to him.
[name_f]Jillian[/name_f] because I highly doubt it’ll get mispronounced. I also always read [name_f]Gillian[/name_f] as [name_m]Gilligan[/name_m] first.
I love Jillian/Gillian. I prefer the [name_f]Gillian[/name_f] spelling, but I would definitely use [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] if I planned to call her [name_f]Jilly[/name_f].
I think [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f] is quite refreshing. [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f] may have been a popular name for millennials, but now it’s a unique middle name.
Also, I don’t think I would have made a connection between [name_m]Ian[/name_m] and [name_f]Jillian[/name_f]. But if I had, I would have thought that it was cute.
I feel like I’m in the minority here- I prefer [name_f]Gillian[/name_f]! Either way I think it’s a lovely name and Jillian/Gillian [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f] flows wonderfully. I wouldn’t worry about the similarity with your husband’s name; I think it’s subtle enough not to be noticed.
[name_m]Hi[/name_m]! I know this is an incredibly late reply, but I just wanted to put my two cents in on how much I love the name [name_f]Jillian[/name_f]! It’s my all time favourite girls name, so even though I’m a little late, I knew I had to respond. Thanks to @tori101 for alerting me - I was on a few-month hiatus but now I’m back (at least for a little while) so I’ll be able to tell you everything I love about [name_f]Jillian[/name_f].
I prefer the [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] spelling, even though I started loving the name from the G spelling. The J less likely to be misspelled or pronounced. Plus, the nickname gets spelled [name_f]Jill[/name_f] this way. If you spell it [name_f]Gillian[/name_f], a lot of people would instinctively spell the nickname like [name_m]Gill[/name_m].
It’s gorgeous and feminine with lovely cadence without being frilly.
[name_f]Jill[/name_f] is the sweetest nickname
You can get other nicknames such as [name_f]Jilly[/name_f], [name_f]Lily[/name_f], [name_f]Lia[/name_f], [name_m]Lian[/name_m] and [name_f]Julie[/name_f] / [name_m]Jules[/name_m] as more of a stretch. [name_f]Jill[/name_f] and [name_f]Jilly[/name_f] are the most intuitive, but it’s not a one-nickname-only name.
Familiar, but not common. She probably won’t have another [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] in her class.
It works beautifully with [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]!
The rest of my reasons are probably more personal because I’ve got a very deep connection with the name, but I’d say go for it! This world needs more Jillians in it, in my opinion! You’d be making a beautiful choice.
[name_f]My[/name_f] one concern though for you would be surname. Something like [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] [name_m]Ian[/name_m] might not be the best flow-wise, but it’s worse on paper. I put the emphasis on [name_f]Jill[/name_f]ian Ian which makes it a little better, but still I’m not sure about the repeating Ian’s.
But, if she doesn’t have his surname, it won’t be an issue.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] my two cents - hope some of this is helpful!
I’ve always preferred [name_f]Gillian[/name_f], but I love your nicknames and how well the name goes with [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] and his accompanying nicknames. You have me seriously questioning my spelling preferences. Jillybean is so great! For you, I think it would be a naming crime if you didn’t go with [name_f]Jillian[/name_f].
[name_f]Jillian[/name_f] [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f] sounds to me like a late 80s, early 90s name, but so what? Everything comes back around eventually. I personally love the name.
[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_f]Jillian[/name_f]. [name_f]Adore[/name_f] the nicknames [name_f]Jill[/name_f] and [name_f]Jilly[/name_f] too. Not so keen on the [name_f]Gillian[/name_f] spelling.
