Holding steady.
Popularity of Gilles since 1923
Babies named Gilles per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 35 |
| 1930s | 60 |
| 1940s | 75 |
| 1950s | 82 |
| 1960s | 58 |
| 1970s | 33 |
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gilles is the French form of Giles, a name with medieval roots. It was first recorded in U.S. data in 1923 and reached its peak usage in 1928. Since then, its popularity has remained stable at very low levels; in recent years it has not ranked among the top 1000 names. The name has strong associations with France and with the 7th-century hermit saint, though its exact meaning is debated. Gilles has never been widely used in the United States, and no state has seen more than a handful of occurrences.
Gilles is the French form of the Latin name Aegidius, itself derived from the Greek aigidion, meaning 'young goat'. The name was borne by a 7th-century hermit saint, Saint Giles, who became one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe. The name was introduced to England by the Normans and became common in the Middle Ages, though it has since been far more popular in France and French-speaking regions.
“Gilles” around the world
Where Gilles lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gil
Sibling names for Gilles
Names that share Gilles's style, for a brother or sister.
