Gilad

Gilad is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, used primarily in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide. It is derived from the biblical name Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River, and is commonly associated with the idea of a hill or ridge. The meaning is often interpreted as hill of testimony or rock of witness, though exact etymology is debated. In modern Hebrew, Gilad is a stand-alone given name.

The name Gilad has been borne by several notable individuals in various fields. Gilad Shalit (born 1986) is an Israeli soldier who was captured by Hamas in 2006 and released in 2011 in a prisoner exchange. Gilad Atzmon (born 1963) is an Israeli-born jazz saxophonist, author, and political commentator based in the United Kingdom. Gilad Janklowicz (born 1969) is an Israeli drummer best known as a member of the rock band Mashina. Gilad Erdan (born 1970) is an Israeli politician and diplomat who has held multiple ministerial roles and served as ambassador to the United States and the United Nations.

In Jewish and Israeli naming, Gilad is sometimes transliterated as Gilead, reflecting the original biblical form. The name remains prevalent in Israel and among Jewish communities, and has gained usage in other countries through diaspora families.