"place of peace, tranquil"
Shiloh
Pronunciation: [ sh-EYEL-oh ]
An ancient sanctuary name with peaceful energy
Meaning & Origin
"the one to whom it belongs"
The Story of Shiloh
Shiloh is an ancient Hebrew place name, appearing prominently in the Old Testament as the city where the Tabernacle of God resided for approximately 300 years before Solomon's Temple was built. The Hebrew 'Shiloh' (שִׁילֹה) is interpreted variously as 'place of peace,' 'tranquil,' or 'his gift,' with some scholars connecting it to the Hebrew word for rest or peaceful. The name also carries messianic significance in some traditions, as the passage in Genesis 49:10 references 'until Shiloh comes.'
Shiloh leapt into public consciousness in 2006 when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie named their daughter Shiloh Nouvel, sparking widespread use of the name for both boys and girls. Before this moment it was nearly exclusively a boy's name with deep biblical roots.
Shiloh holds deep significance in American Civil War history — the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, fought near the Shiloh church in Tennessee. In the Hebrew tradition, Shiloh represents a sacred sanctuary and the dwelling place of God.
Fun Facts
- Shiloh appears 32 times in the Old Testament
- The Battle of Shiloh (1862) is commemorated at Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee
- The name has been gender-neutral in modern US usage since 2006
Shiloh in Other Languages
Famous People Named Shiloh
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt
Other
2006
Child of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, whose birth helped popularize the name globally
Shiloh Fernandez
Actor
1985
American actor known for his role in Evil Dead (2013) and Deadgirl
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #337
- Total SSA Count
- 1,032
- Cultural Origins
- American Hebrew Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Shiloh is also used as a girl name, ranked #260.
View Shiloh as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shiloh
What does the name Shiloh mean?
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Is Shiloh a boy or girl name?
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About the Name Shiloh
Shiloh is a boy name with American, Hebrew, and Christian origins . The name means "place of peace, tranquil" in Hebrew .
Is Shiloh a boy or girl name? Shiloh is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #337 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #260. Shiloh is more commonly used as a girl name.
Shiloh is currently ranked #337 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Shiloh has 2 syllables and is pronounced sh-EYEL-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Shiloh include Shi and Shy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Shiloh include Shilo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.