Gilles Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Gilles is a French name that originates from the Latin 'Aegidius', which itself comes from Greek, meaning 'protection'. It has evolved through history from its Latin roots to its current form in French. The name is associated with qualities of protection and has historical significance, particularly in the context of medieval France. It does not have biblical relevance. Notable individuals with this name contribute to its recognition in contemporary culture.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gilles"
Pronunciation
/ʒil/
Origin
French
Etymology
Gilles is derived from the Latin name 'Aegidius', which is rooted in the Greek word 'aegis', meaning 'protection' or 'shield'.
Meaning
young goat; shield bearer
Language Evolution
Aegidius (Latin), Gilles (Old French)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages, particularly among the clergy and nobility.
Variants & Derivatives
Gilly, Gillespie, Gil
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gilles is seen as a traditional name in French-speaking regions and carries a sense of classic charm.
Famous People
Gilles Deleuze (philosopher), Gilles Simon (tennis player), Gilles Marini (actor)
📊 Gilles Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Gilles Name Visualizations
✨ Gilles Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 13 peak births in 1928
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Maine
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gilles"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Gilles"
"Gilles" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6241st of 7545 | 13 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2992nd of 6773 | 118 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2857th of 7552 | 157 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5421st of 10718 | 55 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 14347th of 16616 | 10 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22675th of 24088 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Gilles" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
63.70% 1548th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Gilles" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Gilles"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gilles" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Gilles" in the United States
The name Gilles is most popular in Maine, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Gilles has been stalled for male in Northeast. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast. Across generations, 'Gilles' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6241st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2992nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2857th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5421st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 14347th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22675th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Gilles' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.