Shiloh
Shiloh Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
SHEYE-loh
Meaning of Shiloh: The name Shiloh derives from the Hebrew tradition, where names carried theological weight and communal identity. Hebrew names often encode prayers or declarations of faith meant to shape a child's life.
Across centuries, Shiloh crossed linguistic borders carried by trade, religion, and diaspora communities. According to SSA records, Shiloh sits at rank #260 on the national list, with 1,216 births recorded in 2024. Its consistent presence in American naming records shows enduring parental appeal.
SSA figures show that Shiloh peaked in 2024, placing it in the contemporary era, reflecting current parental preferences for names that blend heritage with modernity. Notably, names that peak later tend to carry longer cultural momentum before declining, which helps explain Shiloh's sustained presence in American birth records.
What Does Shiloh Mean? Origin & Etymology
Variant spellings of Shiloh exist across different cultures that absorbed the Hebrew naming tradition through migration, religion, or conquest. These variants preserve the name's phonetic core while adapting to the phonology of each receiving language.
The semantic content of Shiloh connects to values that parents across cultures have long wanted to instill. Names encoding concepts of strength, faith, or natural beauty often sustain multi-generational use beyond fleeting trends.
In summary, Shiloh offers parents a name grounded in Hebrew tradition with a sound that travels well across American regional accents. Its heritage roots appeal to families seeking meaning over trend.
How Popular Is Shiloh?
Numerology & Symbolism of Shiloh
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Shiloh – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Shiloh
What does the name Shiloh mean?
Shiloh's meaning in Hebrew is debated. The most common interpretation is peaceful one, from roots related to shalom (peace). Other proposals include his gift and tranquility. In Genesis 49:10, Shiloh appears as a prophetic title interpreted as a coming ruler or Messiah. As a place name in the Old Testament, Shiloh was the central Israelite sanctuary for approximately 300 years.
Is Shiloh a boy name or girl name?
Shiloh is genuinely gender-neutral in current US use. SSA statistics shows both male and female births, with female use increasing significantly after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt named their daughter Shiloh Nouvel in 2006. Before that celebrity use, it charted primarily on the male side. Today, female use predominates in SSA records while the name maintains cross-gender appeal.
Where does the name Shiloh come from?
Shiloh originates in the Hebrew naming tradition. It entered English-speaking countries through immigration, religious influence, and cultural exchange over several centuries, gradually becoming familiar to American parents.
What is the biblical significance of Shiloh?
In the Old Testament, Shiloh was a city in the territory of Ephraim where the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant rested for roughly 300 years — the central sanctuary of early Israelite religion before Jerusalem assumed that role. In Genesis 49:10, shiloh appears as a prophetic word in Jacob's blessing of Judah, interpreted by many as a Messianic reference. Both uses give the name deep biblical resonance.
Is Shiloh a popular name in the United States?
According to SSA records, Shiloh ranks #260 in the United States with 1,216 births in 2024. It sits comfortably in the middle tier of American baby names, recognized without being ubiquitous.
How popular is the name Shiloh?
Shiloh entered US SSA charts with measurable growth after the 2006 celebrity naming by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. It has maintained consistent top-500 presence for girls since then, while also charting for boys. The name's combination of genuine biblical heritage, peaceful meaning, and celebrity cultural association has given it more durability than most celebrity-driven naming trends.
What are similar names to Shiloh?
Names similar to Shiloh include Silo, Selah, Zion, Eden, Salem, and Jericho. All are Hebrew or Old Testament place names or religious terms used as given names. Among gender-neutral names, Shiloh fits alongside Avery, Sage, Rowan, and River. Its peaceful meaning connects it to names like Serenity, Harmony, and Pax. Shiloh is the most immediately recognizable Old Testament place name in current American given name use.