Gilles Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZHEEL /ʒil/
Origin: French; Latin
Meaning: French: youthful; Latin: shield-bearer
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gilles has its roots in the Latin name Aegidius, which is derived from the Greek name Aigidios, meaning 'young goat' or 'kid'. This etymology is linked to the Greek word 'aigos', which translates to 'goat'.
The name Aegidius was borne by Saint Giles, a 7th-century hermit and one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe, particularly in France and England. The Latin form Aegidius was adapted into Old French as Gilles, which eventually made its way into the English language during the Middle Ages.
Saint Giles, who is often depicted with a goat, became a symbol of protection for the poor and the sick, and his feast day is celebrated on September 1. His influence was significant in the establishment of various churches and monasteries dedicated to him, particularly in France, where the name Gilles became widely used.
The name was also popularized through various hagiographies and religious texts, contributing to its spread across Europe. Throughout the centuries, Gilles has been associated with various cultural and historical figures, including several French nobles and artists.
The name has also been linked to the tradition of chivalry and knighthood, as many knights bore the name during the medieval period. Its enduring presence in literature and art reflects the cultural resonance of the name, often symbolizing virtues such as bravery and protection.
The diminutive form 'Gilles' has been used affectionately in various contexts, further embedding the name within the cultural fabric of regions where it has been adopted.
Famous people named Gilles
In this section, you will find notable people named Gilles. 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 Gilles who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Gilles 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.
Gilles Deleuze is a philosopher best known for Difference and Repetition, Anti-Oedipus, and A Thousand Plateaus.
Gilles Simon is a professional tennis player best known for winning multiple ATP titles and reaching the top 10 in the ATP rankings.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gilles, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gilles. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Gilles was first seen in the United States in 1923.
Gilles has ranked as high as #881 nationally, which occurred in 1928, and has been most popular in Maine.
In the past 5 years the name Gilles has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Gilles 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 Gilles was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Gilles (1949)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ME | 7 |
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 Gilles.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1970 | 5 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1967 | 9 |
| 1966 | 7 |
| 1964 | 7 |
| 1963 | 5 |
| 1962 | 8 |
| 1961 | 11 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1959 | 9 |
| 1958 | 10 |
| 1957 | 11 |
| 1956 | 7 |
| 1955 | 10 |
| 1953 | 11 |
| 1952 | 11 |
| 1951 | 8 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1949 | 9 |
| 1948 | 11 |
| 1947 | 6 |
| 1946 | 13 |
| 1945 | 7 |
| 1944 | 5 |
| 1943 | 9 |
| 1941 | 10 |
| 1940 | 5 |
| 1939 | 5 |
| 1938 | 6 |
| 1937 | 5 |
| 1936 | 8 |
| 1935 | 10 |
| 1934 | 9 |
| 1933 | 7 |
| 1932 | 5 |
| 1931 | 5 |
| 1929 | 9 |
| 1928 | 13 |
| 1926 | 8 |
| 1923 | 5 |