"young goat"
Origin: Greek (aigidion)
Language: English
Giles
Pronunciation: [ j-EYELZ ]
Does Giles flow with your last name?
A medieval saint's name with crisp British elegance
English
French
Medieval European
Vintage
Literary
Classic
Sophisticated
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"bearer of the Aegis (goatskin shield)"
Origin: Greek mythology
Language: Greek
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The Story of Giles
Giles comes from the Latin 'Aegidius,' derived from the Greek 'aigidion' meaning young goat — a reference to the shield of Zeus (the Aegis), which was made of goatskin. The name was brought to England by the Normans. Saint Giles (c. 650-710 AD) was a hermit who lived in the forests of Provence and became one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe, with hundreds of churches dedicated to him including St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.
Giles was common in medieval England but declined through the early modern period. In the 20th century it found a niche among British middle and upper-class families who favored its crisp, literary quality. In the US, it remains extremely rare — which is exactly its appeal for parents who love Miles but want something truly distinctive.
Saint Giles is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers venerated in medieval Christianity. Edinburgh's St Giles' Cathedral, built in the 14th century, is one of Scotland's most important historic buildings. The name has a distinctly English literary and aristocratic character.
Historical Record
Giles first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,106 babies have been named Giles in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Giles is past its peak , currently ranked #5,104 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh has been a place of worship for over 900 years and was the spiritual center of the Scottish Reformation
- Giles Corey was an accused wizard in the 1692 Salem Witch Trials who was pressed to death — the only person executed this way
- Giles Fraser is a well-known British theologian and journalist who writes for The Guardian
Giles in Other Languages
Latin
Aegidius
French
Gilles
German
Ägidius
Italian
Egidio
Spanish
Gil
Popularity Over Time
#5,104
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Peaked 1955
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Giles
S
Saint Giles
Religious
7th-century hermit and saint who lived in the forests of Provence, one of the most popular saints of medieval Europe
G
Giles Corey
Other
Salem witch trial victim (1611-1692) who was pressed to death and is referenced in Arthur Miller's The Crucible
R
Rupert Giles Fictional
Other
The wise and bookish Watcher and librarian in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, played by Anthony Stewart Head
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Compare Giles with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #5,104
- Total SSA Count
- 19
- Cultural Origins
- English French Medieval European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Nicknames
Gil
Giy
Giie
Gilkins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Giles
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Giles
What does the name Giles mean?
"young goat" (from Greek (aigidion)). "bearer of the Aegis (goatskin shield)" (from Greek mythology). Giles comes from the Latin 'Aegidius,' derived from the Greek 'aigidion' meaning young goat — a reference to the shield of Zeus (the Aegis), which was made of goatskin. The name was brought to England by the Normans. Saint Giles (c. 650-710 AD) was a hermit who lived in the forests of Provence and became one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe, with hundreds of churches dedicated to him including St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.
What is the origin of the name Giles?
Giles has Greek (aigidion), Greek mythology, English, French, and Medieval European origins. In Greek (aigidion), it means "young goat". In Greek mythology, it means "bearer of the Aegis (goatskin shield)".
Is Giles a boy or girl name?
Giles is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Giles?
Giles is pronounced j-EYELZ.
How popular is the name Giles?
Giles is currently ranked #5104 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Giles?
Common nicknames for Giles include Gil, Giy, Giie, and Gilkins.
What are good middle names for Giles?
Popular middle name pairings include Giles Henry, Giles William, Giles Edward, Giles Thomas, Giles Frederick, Giles Arthur, and Giles Oliver.
What are good sibling names for Giles?
Names that pair well with Giles as siblings include Miles, Hugo, Ambrose, Felix, Cecily, Beatrix, Harriet, and Cordelia.
How many syllables does Giles have?
Giles has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Giles a common or rare name?
Giles is an uncommon name, ranked #5104 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Giles
Giles is a boy name with English, French, and Medieval European origins . The name means "young goat" in Greek (aigidion) .
Giles is currently ranked #5,104 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Giles has 1 syllable and is pronounced j-EYELZ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Giles include Gil, Giy, Giie, and Gilkins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis