How to say it
kha · LIL
kɑːˈliːl
Masculine
Khalil
Friend, close companion
What it means
Arabic, 'friend' or 'close companion'; al-Khalil, 'the friend of God,' is an epithet of the prophet Abraham.
Khalil is Arabic for 'friend' or 'devoted companion.' Its deepest resonance is al-Khalil, 'the friend of God,' a title given to the prophet Abraham, which also names the West Bank city of Hebron in Arabic. The Lebanese-American poet Khalil Gibran, author of The Prophet, is its most famous bearer. It is honored across the Muslim world and well used in Black American families. Said kah-LEEL.
How to spell Khalil
The standard spelling is Khalil. Common variants include Khaleel, Kalil, Halil, but Khalil is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #251 in 1995, currently #384 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Worth knowing
Means 'friend'; al-Khalil, 'friend of God,' is an epithet of Abraham. Honored across Muslim communities.
- Pronunciation
kah-LEEL.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Khalil Gibran Lebanese-American poet, author of The Prophet
Spelling variants
- Khaleel
- Kalil
- Halil
Names with the same feeling
Common questions
- What does the name Khalil mean?
- Arabic, 'friend' or 'close companion'; al-Khalil, 'the friend of God,' is an epithet of the prophet Abraham.
- What does Khalil mean in Arabic?
- In Arabic, Khalil means "Friend, close companion." Khalil is Arabic for 'friend' or 'devoted companion.' Its deepest resonance is al-Khalil, 'the friend of God,' a title given to the prophet Abraham, which also names the West Bank city of Hebron in Arabic. The Lebanese-American poet Khalil Gibran, author of The Prophet, is its most famous bearer. It is honored across the Muslim world and well used in Black American families. Said kah-LEEL.
- How do you pronounce Khalil?
- Khalil is pronounced kɑːˈliːl. Say it as kha-LIL, with the stress on the "lil" syllable.
- How do you spell Khalil?
- The standard spelling is Khalil. Common spelling variants include Khaleel, Kalil, Halil.
- Is Khalil a boy or girl name?
- Khalil is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Khalil?
- Khalil ranked #384 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.