Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Shiloh
UnisexHebrew· “possibly tranquil; biblical place name”
- Meaning
- possibly tranquil; biblical place name (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- SHY-loh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #281
- US babies 2025
- 1,098
- Best rank
- #260 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Shiloh
Shiloh is often said to mean “possibly tranquil; biblical place name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew roots.
Shiloh is the name of an ancient town in the Hebrew Bible, where the tabernacle stood before the temple in Jerusalem. The word also appears in a debated verse of Genesis, and its meaning is uncertain; it is often explained as tranquil or peaceful, but scholars disagree. In American history, Shiloh is also remembered as the site of a major battle of the Civil War in Tennessee, named after a local church. As a given name it is used for both boys and girls, with a gentle, rustic sound. Shiloh feels soft and spiritual without being overtly traditional.
Popularity over time
Shiloh first appears in US Social Security records in 1969. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 19 different years, starting in 2007. Its best national rank was #260 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,222 babies. In 2025, 1,098 babies were named Shiloh, and it ranked #281 nationally. That is 126% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,392 in 1980, #1,800 in 2000, #616 in 2010, and #281 in 2025. Of the 15,117 US girls named Shiloh since records began, 39% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 5,057 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Palmer, Ellis, Lennon, Dallas, and Emory.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Shiloh ranked highest in Hawaii, Oklahoma, and Maryland.
Gender, sound and spelling
Shiloh is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 62% of US babies named Shiloh were girls and 38% were boys.
Shiloh is usually pronounced SHY-loh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-oh”.
Middle names for Shiloh
A few middle names that flow with Shiloh: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Shiloh
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Lists that include Shiloh
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shiloh mean?
Shiloh is often said to mean “possibly tranquil; biblical place name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Shiloh?
Shiloh has Hebrew roots. Shiloh is the name of an ancient town in the Hebrew Bible, where the tabernacle stood before the temple in Jerusalem.
Is Shiloh a popular name?
Yes. Shiloh ranked #281 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Shiloh a boy or girl name?
Shiloh is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 62% of US babies named Shiloh were girls and 38% were boys.
How do you pronounce Shiloh?
Shiloh is usually pronounced SHY-loh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings