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Shiloh

Pronunciation: [ sh-EYEL-oh ]

Girl Name #260 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A peaceful biblical sanctuary made famous by a celebrity baby

Hebrew American English
Earthy Spiritual Gentle Whimsical Modern

Meaning & Origin

"peaceful, tranquil place"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"he to whom it belongs (messianic)"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

  • Associated with the Battle of Shiloh (American Civil War, 1862) — a bloody battle with 23,000 casualties

The Story of Shiloh

Shiloh is a Hebrew place name meaning 'peaceful' or 'tranquil place.' In the Bible, Shiloh was an important Israelite sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was kept before Jerusalem became the religious center. The word may also be interpreted as a messianic title — 'he to whom it belongs' — appearing in Genesis 49:10.

Shiloh gained celebrity when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie named their daughter Shiloh Jolie-Pitt in 2006, instantly making the name visible worldwide. It was subsequently embraced by parents seeking an unconventional but meaningful biblical name with a peaceful sound.

In American history, Shiloh is tied to one of the Civil War's bloodiest battles (1862). In biblical tradition, it's a sacred place of divine presence. For Evangelical Christian families, the messianic interpretation of Shiloh (Genesis 49:10) makes it theologically significant. The layered meanings give it unusual depth.

Fun Facts

  • Shiloh was a sacred Israelite city where the Ark of the Covenant was kept for over 300 years
  • Brad and Angelina's choice of Shiloh in 2006 sent the name skyrocketing in popularity
  • The Battle of Shiloh in 1862 was one of the deadliest battles of the Civil War, with nearly 24,000 casualties over two days

Shiloh in Other Languages

Greek Σηλώ
Arabic شيلو
French Silo
Hebrew שִׁילֹה
Spanish Siló

Famous People Named Shiloh

S

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt

Other

2006

Child of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, whose naming popularized Shiloh as a given name

S

Shiloh (dog) Fictional

Other

The beloved beagle protagonist of the 1991 children's novel Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#260
Total SSA Count
1,216
Cultural Origins
Hebrew American English
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Shi Shy

Pairs Well With

Shiloh Rose Shiloh Grace Shiloh Mae Shiloh Jade Shiloh River Shiloh Fern Shiloh Quinn

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Shiloh is also used as a boy name, ranked #337.

View Shiloh as a boy name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shiloh

What does the name Shiloh mean?
"peaceful, tranquil place" (from Hebrew). "he to whom it belongs (messianic)" (from Biblical Hebrew). Shiloh is a Hebrew place name meaning 'peaceful' or 'tranquil place.' In the Bible, Shiloh was an important Israelite sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was kept before Jerusalem became the religious center. The word may also be interpreted as a messianic title — 'he to whom it belongs' — appearing in Genesis 49:10.
What is the origin of the name Shiloh?
Shiloh has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, American, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "peaceful, tranquil place". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "he to whom it belongs (messianic)".
Is Shiloh a boy or girl name?
Shiloh is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #260. As a boy name, it is ranked #337. Shiloh is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Shiloh?
Shiloh is pronounced sh-EYEL-oh.
How popular is the name Shiloh?
Shiloh is currently ranked #260 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Shiloh?
Common nicknames for Shiloh include Shi and Shy.
What are good middle names for Shiloh?
Popular middle name pairings include Shiloh Rose, Shiloh Grace, Shiloh Mae, Shiloh Jade, Shiloh River, Shiloh Fern, and Shiloh Quinn.
What are good sibling names for Shiloh?
Names that pair well with Shiloh as siblings include Zion, Harlow, Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Knox, and River.
How many syllables does Shiloh have?
Shiloh has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shiloh a common or rare name?
Shiloh is a popular name, ranked #260 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Shiloh

Shiloh is a girl name with Hebrew, American, and English origins . The name means "peaceful, tranquil place" in Hebrew .

Is Shiloh a boy or girl name? Shiloh is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #260 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #337. Shiloh is more commonly used as a girl name.

Shiloh is currently ranked #260 in popularity for girl 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.

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