Surname Halili - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Analysis: An illuminating journey into the history of the Halili surname

Doubling as a trip back in time and a geographical expedition, my experience with iGENEA DNA analysis expanded my understanding of my ancestry. Tracing my Halili surname to its roots not only unveiled unexpected connections to distant lands but also painted a larger-than-imagined diaspora of the Halili family, reinforcing my identity and etching a sense of deep pride for my lineage.

F. Halili

Halili: What does the surname Halili mean?

The last name Halili is derived from the Catalan word "hali", which means salt, and is also related to the Hebrew word pronounced /halí/.

Halili is a popular Jewish surname on the island of Mallorca (Majorca), an archipelago of islands located off the coast of mainland Spain. It is mainly concentrated in the region of Mallorca that is closest to the coast of mainland Spain, particularly in the cities of Palma and Pollença. The name is generally thought to have originated with Jewish migrants who settled in Mallorca between the 10th and 11th centuries.

The paper ‘Names of Mallorca’ by Tatiana della Bella notes that elements of the name, such as the prefix ‘ha-’ may also be related to the Arabic word ‘halal’ (permissible). It also suggests that the suffix ‘-ili’ or ‘-ly’ is of Hebrew origin, meaning ‘my salt’. In Jewish traditions salt represents a life-cycle gift; a token of covenant, and therefore vessel of enduring friendship and loyalty.

Consequently, the name Halili has a dual - Jewish and Catalan - interpretation which translates to ‘my salt’. In general, the name is thought to imply prosperity and life-long friendships built on loyalty and dedication. The name Halili is also reflective of the culturally rich heritage of Mallorca that combines Arab, Jewish, and older Catalan elements - a heritage which dates back centuries and still influences the region today.

Halili: Where does the name Halili come from?

The last name Halili is commonly found in the Philippines, particularly on the island of Luzon. Within the Philippines, the largest concentration of people with the last name Halili is located in the province of Ilocos Norte. Additionally, a significant number of people with the name Halili have migrated to other countries, particularly the United States, Canada, and parts of Australia.

The origin of the last name Halili is believed to have come from the Spanish root word "halil," meaning "awealthy person" or "valuable." The name is also associated with wealth due to the fact that when a person had the last name Halili, it indicated he or she had some form of material wealth.

In addition, some people with the last name Halili have migrated to the United States and have adapted their last name to American spelling, with variants such as Halili, Hallilee, Halliley, and Halily.

Overall, the last name Halili is still very common today, especially in parts of the Philippines and with Spanishspeaking populations around the world.

Variations of the surname Halili

Halili is a surname of Greek origin which is derived from the Greek word "halilos" which means salt. There are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Halili, which are given below:

Halilis: This is a variation which is derived from the same Greek word "halilos".

Halyeatts: This spelling variation is derived from the Greek word "halos" which means salt and the Old English word "eatt" which means settlement.

Halliwell: This is an alternate form of Halili which means ancestral salt stream.

Halahlik: This spelling variation is derived from the Hebrew word "Chalal" which also means salt.

Halahamik: This Greek variation is derived from the Greek word "halamos" which means salt and the suffix "-ik" which renders a diminutive sense.

Halida: This is a variation which is derived from the Greek word "halida" which means salt.

Halvorsen: This variation is a combination of the Old Norse words "halr" which means rock and "vors" which means river.

Halillig: This is another variation which is derived from the Greek word "halilos" which means salty.

Halyvet: This variation is derived from the Greek word "halos" which means salt and the French word "vet" which means willow.

Halldorson: This variation is a combination of the Old Norse words "halr" which means rock and "dors" which means fjord.

Halik: This is a variation which is derived from the Greek word "halos" which means salt.

Halleman: This is an alternate form of Halili which means man who lives near a salt marsh.

Halig: This variation is derived from the English word "hale" which means salt.

Famous people with the name Halili

• Jomar Halili: known as the President of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company, Inc. (Mislatel). He is a Filipino businessman, and is the founder of the Islamic telecommunications company.
• Aishel Halili: Aishel is a reknowned pop singer and songwriter from the Philippines. She is best known for her hit single ‘Let’s Fly Away’.
• Selina Delarosa Halili: Selina is a Filipino actress and television personality. She is best known for her role as Rachel Cortez in the TV series Wakasan.
• Jesus Halili: Jesus is a Filipino politician who served as Governor of the Province of Batangas for two terms from 2004 to 2015.
• Jessie Halili: Jessie is a professional Filipino DJ who has been in the business for over 10 years. He has performed at major clubs and events in the Philippines, as well as abroad.
• Maria Lourdes Halili: Lourdes is a Filipino lawyer and public servant who has served as the Chairperson of the Philippine Social Security System from 2009 to 2015.
• Cielo Halili: Cielo is a Filipino model, beauty queen, and entrepreneur who was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2018.
• Rapunzel Halili: Rapunzel is a 17-year-old Filipino television actress, dance performer, and singer. She is best known for her portrayal of Mara in the series Be Careful With My Heart.
• Vince Halili: Vince is a Filipino filmmaker, educator, and artistic director. He is the founder and executive director of the Mapua Film Society, a student-run film-making society based in Mapua University.
• Martin Halili: Martin is a Filipino professional basketball player who plays for the Philippine Basketball Association’s Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team.

Other surnames

HalilHalilajHalilogluHalilovic