Giles Boy

Popularity: #926 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JYLES //dʒaɪlz//

Origin: Greek; Latin; Old French

Meaning: Greek: youthful; Latin: a servant of God; Old French: a pledge

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Giles has its roots in the Greek name Aegidius, which is derived from the word 'aegis,' meaning 'protection' or 'shield.' This name was Latinized as Aegidius and later adapted into Old French as Gilles. The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Norman names were introduced into the English language.

The name Giles became established in England, particularly through the influence of the cult of Saint Giles, a 7th-century hermit and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, who was venerated in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Saint Giles is often depicted as a protector of the disabled and the poor, and his feast day is celebrated on September 1st.

The name gained prominence in medieval England, particularly in the 12th century, as a result of the saint's growing popularity. Numerous churches and institutions were dedicated to him, further embedding the name in the cultural and religious landscape of the time.

The name Giles also appears in notable literary works, including Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" from the late 14th century, where it reflects the social and religious milieu of the period. Culturally, the name Giles has been associated with qualities of protection and guardianship, resonating with the historical figure of Saint Giles.

The name has also seen various diminutive forms, such as Gilly, which may have emerged in informal contexts. Overall, the enduring legacy of Giles is tied to its etymological roots, historical significance through the veneration of Saint Giles, and its representation of protective virtues in medieval society.

Famous people named Giles

In this section, you will find notable people named Giles. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Giles who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Giles who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Giles Coren is a food critic and journalist best known for The Times, BBC Radio 4, and his books on food and dining.

Giles Martin is a music producer and sound engineer best known for his work with The Beatles, Paul McCartney, and Elton John.

Giles Deacon is a fashion designer best known for his work with his eponymous label, collaborations with British Vogue, and his role as a judge on Project Runway UK.

Giles Foden is an author best known for his novels The Last King of Scotland, Zanzibar, and Turbulence.

Giles Smith is a writer and journalist best known for his work with The Times, his novels, and his memoirs.

Fictional characters named Giles

The following list of fictional characters named Giles is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Giles is a fictional character from the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He is the Watcher who guides and mentors the Slayer, Buffy Summers, in her battle against supernatural forces.

Giles is a fictional character from the TV series Angel. He serves as a knowledgeable ally and mentor to the main characters, providing crucial support in their fight against evil.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Giles, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MilesJulesNilesStylesPiles

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Giles. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

JilesGaleGideonJasperSilasGalenGrahamGavin

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Giles was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Giles has ranked as high as #1418 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, New York, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Giles has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Giles is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Giles was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Giles.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 12 12
2024 19 19
2023 11 11
2022 13 13
2021 16 16
2020 18 18
2019 29 29
2018 19 19
2017 15 15
2016 17 17
2015 20 20
2014 12 12
2013 20 20
2012 25 25
2011 20 20
2010 30 30
2009 20 20
2008 23 23
2007 26 26
2006 19 19
2005 28 28
2004 21 21
2003 22 22
2002 19 19
2001 17 17
2000 15 15
1999 18 18
1998 17 17
1997 24 24
1996 16 16
1995 28 28
1994 22 22
1993 29 29
1992 39 39
1991 31 31
1990 19 19
1989 26 26
1988 15 15
1987 25 25
1986 30 30
1985 26 26
1984 34 34
1983 24 24
1982 28 28
1981 24 24
1980 25 25
1979 25 25
1978 31 31
1977 22 22
1976 26 26
1975 28 28
1974 36 36
1973 20 20
1972 31 31
1971 29 29
1970 32 32
1969 30 30
1968 29 29
1967 29 29
1966 31 31
1965 23 23
1964 41 41
1963 35 35
1962 47 47
1961 30 30
1960 48 48
1959 37 37
1958 46 46
1957 52 52
1956 51 51
1955 62 62
1954 58 58
1953 44 44
1952 43 43
1951 50 50
1950 47 47
1949 38 38
1948 50 50
1947 54 54
1946 31 31
1945 43 43
1944 54 54
1943 51 51
1942 49 49
1941 62 62
1940 44 44
1939 47 47
1938 61 61
1937 41 41
1936 52 52
1935 59 59
1934 60 60
1933 69 69
1932 77 77
1931 66 66
1930 63 63
1929 69 69
1928 80 80
1927 70 70
1926 60 60
1925 78 78
1924 63 63
1923 64 64
1922 80 80
1921 52 52
1920 69 69
1919 66 66
1918 86 86
1917 73 73
1916 54 54
1915 65 65
1914 56 56
1913 45 45
1912 32 32
1911 18 18
1910 13 13
1909 9 9
1908 14 14
1907 7 7
1906 7 7
1905 9 9
1904 15 15
1903 7 7
1902 9 9
1901 11 11
1900 15 15
1899 17 17
1898 6 6
1897 13 13
1896 8 8
1895 8 8
1893 17 17
1892 7 7
1891 6 6
1890 11 11
1889 12 12
1888 20 20
1887 11 11
1886 13 13
1885 15 15
1884 14 14
1883 17 17
1882 12 12
1881 21 21
1880 18 18

Top States for Giles (2007)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
50%
NY 5
50%