Gillen
Boy name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Gillen: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2012.
Rooted in Scottish Gaelic, Gillen is a variant of the name Gillean, itself a diminutive of ‘gille’, meaning ‘servant’ or ‘lad’ – often used in reference to a follower of a saint. This name is historically significant as the root of the prominent clan surname MacLean, which literally means ‘son of Gillean’. While not widely borne by modern celebrities, Gillen retains a strong Highland heritage and is occasionally seen in Scottish records as both a given name and a surname. It can also appear as Gillan or Gillean, and shares its etymological roots with the Irish name Giolla. For parents drawn to names with deep clan connections and a touch of ancient Gaelic tradition, Gillen offers a distinctive, meaningful choice.
Boy 1 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20123 babies
- Latest (2012)
- #6693 babies
- Total births
- 3since 2012
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y