(m., f.) late Latin Hilarius from hilaris ‘cheerful’. St Hilarius of Poitiers (d. 368), a champion of the Church against Arianism and hence called the Athanasius of the West, was the cause of the popularity of his name (Hilaire) in France. It was not uncommon in England from the 13th to 16th C, and has continued in infrequent use ever since. Lyford 1655 gives it as Hilarie. It has become more common in recent years. In the 12th and 13th C it was also used as a woman’s name (Latin Hilaria, Illaria, &c.), but that use seems to have died out altogether until it was revived at the beginning of the present century. Charlotte Mary Yonge, History of ChristianNames, 2 vols. 1863. Revised ed. 1884 knows it only as a man’s name.

Yllarius Curia Regis Rolls 1203-5. Hillarius Curia Regis Rolls 1207, Feudal Aids 1346. Illarius Feudal Aids 1284. Hillary Church Registers of St. Dionis, Backchurch, 1538-1754 Backchurch 1547, St Peter Cornhill 1593. Illaria Curia Regis Rolls 1199. Yllaria Curia Regis Rolls 1203, 1205, 1210. Hillaria Hundred Rolls 1273.

M. and occasionally—and derivatively—f. From Latin hilaris, ‘cheerful.’ The name recommended itself to the early Christians: there are three Saints Hilaria, two Saints Hilarinus, two Hilarions, as well as eight Saints Hilary, of whom the most important is that C4 Bishop and Doctor of the Church who, known in his own day as Hilarius, so ably defended the central faith against the Arian heresy. (Benedictines.)

Derived from the Latin name Hilarius signifying pleasant, cheerful, merry.

Latin (masculine) - Joyous.

A Latin name, meaning: Cheery.

A Latin name, meaning: Cheerful: merry.