"peaceful, tranquil"
Shilo
Peaceful as a morning sky, ancient as the Promised Land
Meaning & Origin
"he to whom it belongs, messianic title"
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
Famous People Named Shilo
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt
Other
2006
Child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt; helped popularize the name Shiloh globally
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
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
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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.