"peaceful, tranquil place"
Shiloh
Pronunciation: [ sh-EYEL-oh ]
A peaceful biblical sanctuary made famous by a celebrity baby
Meaning & Origin
"he to whom it belongs (messianic)"
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
Famous People Named Shiloh
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt
Other
2006
Child of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, whose naming popularized Shiloh as a given name
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Shiloh is also used as a boy name, ranked #337.
View Shiloh as a boy 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 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.