Boy · Arabic · Muslim
Khalil
خلیلSay it kha-LEEL
- Meaning
- A true or sincere friend; a special, particular friend Lane, p. 780–781
- Say it
- kha-LEEL
- Written
- خلیل
- Other spellings
- Khaleel, Kalil
Khalil
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Khalil meaning
Khalil (خلیل) is a Muslim boy's name of Arabic origin.
A true or sincere friend; a special, particular friend
Khalil (خلیل) is the Arabic khalīl, "a friend". Lane's lexicon defines it as a true or sincere friend, or a special and particular friend, and links it to khulla, a pure and sincere friendship free of any flaw. The Quran says in 4:125 that God took Ibrahim (Abraham) as a khalīl, and Ibrahim is known in Islamic tradition as Khalilullah, "the friend of God". Lane also records other senses of the word, such as "poor, needy", but the name follows the sense of friendship. It is used across the Muslim world; the Turkish form is Halil.
Source: Lane, An Arabic–English Lexicon (1863–93), Book I, p. 780–781 · entry khalīl (خَلِيل), root kh-l-l · See the entry
In the Quran: 4:125 (khalīl (خَلِيلًا)) · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Lane, Arabic–English Lexicon, khalīl, khulla, p. 780–781 · Quran 4:125 (quran.com) · Wikipedia, Khalil (name)
Popularity abroad
- #384 United States, boys 2025 (up 8 from 392 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #331 England and Wales, boys 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Khalil · Khaleel · Kalil