The first name Giles
A boy’s name from Greek meaning “kid”, “young goat”.
Pronounced /d͡ʒaɪlz/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Greek origin
Giles means “kid”, “young goat” in Greek.
Medieval English form of Old French saints' name Giles, modern Gilles, an altered form of Latin Aegīdius, from Ancient Greek Αἰγίδιος (Aigídios), derivative of αἰγίδιον (aigídion, “kid, young goat”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 3 boys were named Giles, making it the 5,137th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1997, with 60 births (#378).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Giles with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Giles at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 12 boys born in the United States were named Giles, the 6,932nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1918, when 86 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Giles in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Famous people named Giles
23 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Giles BarnesEnglish-Jamaican footballer, born 1988
- Giles Gilbert ScottEnglish architect (1880–1960)
- Giles ScottBritish sailor, born 1987
- Giles MartinEnglish record producer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist, born 1969
- Giles MiltonBritish writer and historian, born 1966
- Giles FarnabyEnglish composer, 1563–1640
- Giles CoreyExecuted in the Salem witch trials, 1611–1692
- Giles of AssisiFranciscan mystic and blessed (c. 1190 – 1262)
- Giles MattheyBritish actor (born 1987)
- Giles FodenBritish writer, born 1967
- Giles Radice, Baron RadiceBritish politician (1936–2022)
- Giles FletcherEnglish poet, diplomat and politician 1549-1611
More Greek boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Giles mean?
- Giles means “kid”, “young goat” in Greek.
- What is the origin of the name Giles?
- Medieval English form of Old French saints' name Giles, modern Gilles, an altered form of Latin Aegīdius, from Ancient Greek Αἰγίδιος (Aigídios), derivative of αἰγίδιον (aigídion, “kid, young goat”).
- How popular is the name Giles?
- In 2025, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Giles, ranking 5,137th. Its peak was 1997, with 60 births.
- Is Giles a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 4,732 US babies named Giles since 1880 were boys.
- When was Giles most popular?
- 1918 in the United States, when 86 babies were named Giles, its highest rank at 671st.
- How do you pronounce Giles?
- Giles is /d͡ʒaɪlz/, one syllable.
- Is Giles also a surname?
- Yes. Giles is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.