Miles
Miles is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Gracious, merciful, or soldier.
Origin and history
Miles is a given name derived from the Germanic name Milo, introduced to Britain by the Normans, and historically associated with the Latin word miles, meaning soldier. It has been used in the English-speaking world for centuries and has seen a major rise in modern U.S. popularity. Today, it stands as a stylish, classic yet contemporary choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
122,868 babies in the United States have been named Miles since 1880. It ranks #274 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #49.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.1 %)
- TX (6.9 %)
- NY (5.7 %)
- IL (4.5 %)
- PA (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 418 |
| 1890-1900 | 443 |
| 1900-1910 | 413 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,583 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,337 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,658 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,994 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,174 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,834 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,241 |
| 1980-1990 | 5,672 |
| 1990-2000 | 9,815 |
| 2000-2010 | 17,786 |
| 2010-2019 | 36,601 |
| 2020-2029 | 35,899 |
Famous people named Miles
- Miles Davis: Musician, Composer
- Miles Teller: Actor
- Miles Morales: Superhero, Fictional Character
Fun facts
- While derived from the Germanic root meaning gracious or beloved, its association with the Latin word for soldier strengthened its adoption in medieval Europe.
- Legendary American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis helped solidify the name's cultural cool factor in the 20th century.
- Miles entered the top 50 boy names in the United States during the early 2020s, experiencing its highest popularity to date.