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Shilo

Boy Name #1,670 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Peaceful as a morning sky, ancient as the Promised Land

English-speaking Hebrew African American American
Earthy Modern Gentle Spiritual Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"peaceful, tranquil"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"he to whom it belongs, messianic title"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew

The Story of Shilo

Shilo is a variant spelling of Shiloh, a Hebrew word meaning 'peaceful' or 'he to whom it belongs,' sometimes interpreted as a messianic title. Shiloh was also an ancient city in Canaan where the Israelites kept the Ark of the Covenant before the Temple was built in Jerusalem, and the site of a pivotal Civil War battle in 1862. The simplified spelling Shilo makes the name feel more contemporary.

Shiloh and its variant Shilo rose to widespread attention after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt named their daughter Shiloh in 2006. The name has since gained popularity for both boys and girls, part of the nature-meets-spiritual name trend.

In the Bible, Shiloh is where Hannah prayed for a son (Samuel) and where the Ark of the Covenant rested for nearly 300 years. The word also appears in Jacob's blessing in Genesis as a prophetic reference. The Civil War Battle of Shiloh (1862) was a turning point in the Western Theater.

Fun Facts

  • Shiloh was the site where the Ark of the Covenant resided for over 300 years before being captured by Philistines
  • Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (born 2006) helped popularize this name in the English-speaking world
  • The 1993 film Shiloh features a boy who rescues a beagle, making the name associated with loyalty

Shilo in Other Languages

Hebrew שִׁילֹה (Shiloh)
English Shiloh/Shilo

Famous People Named Shilo

S

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt

Other

2006

Child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt; helped popularize the name Shiloh globally

S

Shiloh Fernandez

Actor

1985

American actor known for roles in Red Riding Hood and Evil Dead

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#1,670
Total SSA Count
101
Cultural Origins
English-speaking Hebrew African American American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Shi Lo

Pairs Well With

Shilo James Shilo Lee Shilo Forest Shilo River Shilo Ezra Shilo Cade

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Shilo is also used as a girl name, ranked #5118.

View Shilo as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shilo

What does the name Shilo mean?
"peaceful, tranquil" (from Hebrew). "he to whom it belongs, messianic title" (from Biblical Hebrew). Shilo is a variant spelling of Shiloh, a Hebrew word meaning 'peaceful' or 'he to whom it belongs,' sometimes interpreted as a messianic title. Shiloh was also an ancient city in Canaan where the Israelites kept the Ark of the Covenant before the Temple was built in Jerusalem, and the site of a pivotal Civil War battle in 1862. The simplified spelling Shilo makes the name feel more contemporary.
What is the origin of the name Shilo?
Shilo has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, English-speaking, African American, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "peaceful, tranquil". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "he to whom it belongs, messianic title".
Is Shilo a boy or girl name?
Shilo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1670. As a girl name, it is ranked #5118. Shilo is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Shilo?
Shilo is currently ranked #1670 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Shilo?
Common nicknames for Shilo include Shi and Lo.
What are good middle names for Shilo?
Popular middle name pairings include Shilo James, Shilo Lee, Shilo Forest, Shilo River, Shilo Ezra, and Shilo Cade.
What are good sibling names for Shilo?
Names that pair well with Shilo as siblings include Sage, River, Wren, Milo, Indigo, and Jasper.
How many syllables does Shilo have?
Shilo has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shilo a common or rare name?
Shilo is an uncommon name, ranked #1670 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Shilo

Shilo is a boy name with English-speaking, Hebrew, African American, and American origins . The name means "peaceful, tranquil" in Hebrew .

Is Shilo a boy or girl name? Shilo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,670 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,118. Shilo is more commonly used as a boy name.

Shilo is currently ranked #1,670 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Shilo has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Shilo include Shi and Lo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Shilo include Shiloh . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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