Gilles

Greek

"young goat"

Gilles Origin and Meaning

The name Gilles is a boy's name of French origin.

Gilles is a French masculine name derived from the Latin name Aegidius, which means 'shield' or 'young goat'. Popular throughout medieval France, Gilles became associated with the 7th-century hermit Saint Gilles (Saint Aegidius), who was counted among the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The name is pronounced 'zheel' in French, with a soft 'g' sound. While common in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec, Gilles remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. Notable bearers include French ballet dancer Gilles Guilbert and Canadian hockey player Gilles Meloche. The name carries associations of French culture and heritage while offering an elegant alternative to the more familiar English form, Giles.

Famous People Named Gilles

• Gilles Bensimon French fashion photographer
• Gilles Marini French,American actor
• Gilles Müller Luxembourgish professional tennis player
• Gilles Deleuze French philosopher
• Gilles Simon French tennis player
• Gilles Peterson French,British DJ
• (Joseph) Gilles Henri Villeneuve Canadian racing driver
• Gilles Sunu French footballer
• Gilles de Rais 15th,century serial killer

The name Gilles in Pop Culture

• Gilles character in "La Femme de Gilles" by Madeleine Bourdouxhe