The name Niles has its origins in the ancient Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "neilos," which means "river" or "valley." This is a reference to the Nile River, one of the most significant rivers in the ancient world and a vital lifeline for the civilizations that flourished along its banks.

Niles was a personal name used in ancient Greece, though its usage was relatively rare. The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the 5th century BCE, when it was mentioned in a play by the famous Athenian dramatist Sophocles.

In the 1st century CE, the name Niles appeared in the writings of the Roman historian Pliny the Elder, who referred to a figure with this name in his work "Naturalis Historia." This suggests that the name had spread from Greece to Rome during the height of the Roman Empire.

One of the most notable historical figures named Niles was Niles the Patrician, a high-ranking Byzantine official who lived in the 5th century CE. He served as the praetorian prefect of the East under the Byzantine Emperor Zeno and played a significant role in the political affairs of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Another famous bearer of the name was Niles of Ancyra, a 5th-century Christian bishop and theologian from the city of Ancyra (modern-day Ankara, Turkey). He was a prominent figure in the early Christian Church and participated in several important theological councils.

In the 12th century, a Benedictine monk named Niles Doxapatres lived in Sicily. He is best known for his work "On the Five Patriarchal Sees," a treatise discussing the authority and jurisdiction of the five major Christian patriarchates of his time.

During the Renaissance period, Niles Henricksson (1554-1622) was a Swedish clergyman and author who played a significant role in the early Lutheran Church in Sweden. He served as the Bishop of Linköping and published several theological works.

In more recent history, Niles Trammell (1892-1968) was an American businessman and executive who served as the president of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) from 1940 to 1949. He played a crucial role in the development of television broadcasting in the United States.