Giles
Giles is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Young goat or kid; small shield.
Origin and history
Giles is an classic English name derived from the Greek word 'aigidion', meaning 'young goat' or 'kid', and later linked to the protective aegis shield of Zeus. It entered English via the French saint name Gilles and has been used continuously for centuries, though it remains relatively uncommon in contemporary U.S. birth records.
Popularity in the United States
4,732 babies in the United States have been named Giles since 1880. It ranks #1792 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1838.
States where it is most popular
- VA (35.5 %)
- TX (16.4 %)
- NC (15.8 %)
- NY (7.6 %)
- IL (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 153 |
| 1890-1900 | 93 |
| 1900-1910 | 103 |
| 1910-1920 | 508 |
| 1920-1930 | 685 |
| 1930-1940 | 595 |
| 1940-1950 | 476 |
| 1950-1960 | 490 |
| 1960-1970 | 343 |
| 1970-1980 | 280 |
| 1980-1990 | 257 |
| 1990-2000 | 243 |
| 2000-2010 | 210 |
| 2010-2019 | 207 |
| 2020-2029 | 89 |
Famous people named Giles
- Giles Corey: Historical figure
- Giles Martin: Music producer, Composer
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Greek word 'aigidion', which is closely related to 'aegis', the mythological shield of Zeus and Athena.
- Saint Giles was immensely popular in medieval Europe, leading to many churches and towns being named in his honor.