Find out how popular the first name Giles has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Giles by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Giles is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 11 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Giles.

The history of the first name Giles

The name Giles has its origins in the ancient Greek language and is derived from the word 'Aegidius', meaning 'young goat' or 'kid'. It is believed to have been a Greek surname that later became a given name when it spread to other parts of Europe.

The name gained popularity in France, where it was anglicized to 'Giles'. It then made its way to England during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. In medieval England, Giles was a relatively common name, particularly among the nobility and upper classes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Giles can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, where it is mentioned as the name of a companion of St. Paul. Another notable historical figure was Giles of Assisi, a 13th-century Italian friar and one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi.

In the 12th century, a legendary figure known as St. Giles became popular in France and England. He was believed to be an Athenian hermit who lived in the 7th century and was known for his kindness towards animals, particularly a wounded deer that he sheltered in his cave.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Giles. One of the earliest was Giles of Viterbo (1469-1532), an Italian Renaissance scholar, philosopher, and cardinal. Giles Fletcher the Elder (1549-1611) was an English poet and ambassador to Russia, while Giles Fletcher the Younger (1588-1623) was his son and also a poet.

In the 17th century, Giles Firmin (1614-1697) was an English physician and writer, known for his controversial religious views. Giles Jacob (1686-1744) was an English writer and lexicographer, best known for his work "The Compleat Parish-Officer".

Giles Corey (1611-1692) was a famous figure in the Salem Witch Trials, where he was accused of witchcraft and ultimately pressed to death for refusing to enter a plea. Giles Lytton Strachey (1880-1932) was a British writer and biographer, known for his innovative approach to biography writing.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Giles was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Giles, please contact us.

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