Given name
Galilee
“from the sacred sea”
Galilee is used as a given name. One Hebrew interpretation is “from the sacred sea.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Hebrew interpretation is “from the sacred sea.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Hebrew.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 2001. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Galilee through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 648
- 0 boys · 648 girls
- Most popular year
- 2023
- 62 babies
- 2025
- 40
- #3,735 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +20%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 40 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,735 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 19.8% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (7). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 379 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Galilee’s family of names
Galilee has a related form in Galilea. Galilee has a related form in Galileigh. Galilee has a related form in Galiley.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
See also 3
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
Similar names
If you love Galilee, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Ayla
“from the oak tree”
>99% girls
Ieva
“bird cherry”
>99% girls
Merve
“a friend of the sea”
>99% girls
Alani
“from the orange tree”
1% boys · 99% girls
Aspen
“from the aspen tree”
13% boys · 87% girls
Kailani
“of the sky and sea”
>99% girls
Talia
“morning dew from heaven” · “blooming”
>99% girls
Kaylani
“of the sky and sea”
>99% girls