Khalil
/xa.ˈliːl/
Khalil means “friend” in Arabic, from the root kh-l-l conveying the idea of close friendship or an intimate companion.
In Islamic tradition, the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) is given the honorific title Khalilullah, meaning “Friend of God,” making Khalil a name of deep religious significance.
The name has been used across the Arab world and among Muslims in many countries for centuries. It entered American use primarily through Arab-American and African American Muslim communities.
What the name Khalil means
Khalil ranked No. 390 in 2024 with 830 births. It peaked at No. 251 in 1995 with 1,118 births, reflecting a mid-1990s peak in Islamic name adoption in the US.
Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931), author of The Prophet, is one of the most culturally prominent bearers. His spelling Kahlil is a variant transliteration. The name also appears across Persian and Urdu literary traditions.
Two syllables — kah-LEEL — are soft and melodic. The guttural kh in full Arabic pronunciation is typically softened to a k in English use.
Parents in Muslim families and those who admire Gibran’s literary legacy both contribute to the name’s use. The meaning of friendship adds a universally appealing dimension.
Related Arabic names with the friendship root include Khalida, Khaled, and Khalilah. The honorific Khalilullah connects it to Ibrahim and the Quranic tradition of divine friendship.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Khalil
Khalil - similar names
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