"peaceful, tranquil"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Shilo
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Peaceful as a morning sky, ancient as the Promised Land
English-speaking
Hebrew
African American
American
Earthy
Modern
Gentle
Spiritual
Whimsical
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Meaning & Origin
"he to whom it belongs, messianic title"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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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.
Historical Record
Shilo first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 1,128 babies have been named Shilo in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shilo is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,670 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,670
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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
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Compare Shilo with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shilo
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Shilo is also used as a girl name, ranked #5118.
View Shilo as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
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.
What boy names are similar to Shilo?
Are there other spellings for Shilo?
Related spellings include Shiloh.
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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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