English

Alternative forms

• Jillian

Proper noun

Gillian.

1. A female given name. Medieval variant of Julian and Juliana, revived and quite popular in Britain in the mid-twentieth century.
   • 1591 William Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors: Act III, Scene I:

     Dromio of Ephesus. Maud, Bridget, Marian, Cicely, Gillian, Ginn!

     Dromio of Syracuse. Mome, malt-horse, capon, coxcomb, idiot, patch! - - -

     Dost thou conjure for wenches, that thou call'st for such a store

   • 1994 Floyd Skloot: Summer Blue. Story Line press 1994. ISBN 0934257086 page 98:

     "Just Jill, I'm afraid." "Would you prefer if it was Gillian?" "Oh, I think so. Gillian sounds so much fancier." "Fancy?" Terrence said. He smiled at her. "Or perhaps it sounds flashy?" "Royal," Richard said. "Flowery," Terrence added. "You could say Gillian was more flowery. That would fit. What about you, Corrie, what does it sound like to you?" "Rich," Corrie glanced at Jill. "Gillian sounds richer than Jill."

English

Noun

gillian ‎(plural gillians)

1. (obsolete) A girl, especially a wanton; a gill.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Beaumont and Fletcher to this entry?)