UK boy's name
Galileo
An Italian masculine name meaning "the milk-citizen from Galilee".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Galileo is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Galileo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4647, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2011 to 2011. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Galileo is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Galileo. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Galileo ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 3 boys were registered as Galileo.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Galileo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4647
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Galileo mean?
The name Galileo is of Italian origin, derived from the Italian form of the Latin name Galileus. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient Galilean region, which was located in northern Israel during biblical times. The name is believed to have been derived from the Hebrew words "Galil" and "Galiyl," meaning "district" or "circle."
In the New Testament, the term "Galilean" was used to refer to the people of this region, including Jesus and his disciples. The name Galileo was likely adopted as a way to honor the connection to this significant biblical location and its association with the teachings of Christianity.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Galileo was in the 16th century when it was given to the renowned Italian astronomer, physicist, engineer, and philosopher, Galileo Galilei (1564-1642). Galileo Galilei is widely regarded as the father of modern observational astronomy, and his groundbreaking discoveries, including the observation of Jupiter's moons and the phases of Venus, played a crucial role in the scientific revolution.
Another notable figure who bore the name Galileo was the Italian sculptor and architect, Galileo Chini (1873-1956). He was a prominent figure in the Art Nouveau and Liberty style movements and is best known for his decorative ceramic works and architectural designs.
In the field of music, the name Galileo has been associated with the British progressive rock band Galileo Galilei, formed in the late 1960s. The band's name was a direct reference to the famous astronomer and his contributions to science.
Galileo Ferraris (1847-1897) was an Italian physicist and electrical engineer who made significant contributions to the development of alternating current (AC) motors and transformers. He is credited with the invention of the first AC induction motor, laying the foundation for the widespread use of AC power transmission.
Finally, the name Galileo was also given to Galileo Ferraris (1610-1685), an Italian Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of Mazzara del Vallo in Sicily during the 17th century. While not as well-known as his namesake the astronomer, his position within the Church demonstrates the enduring popularity of the name Galileo among Italian families.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Galileo by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Galileo was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4647 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Galileo
- George 121,258
- Gabriel 20,581
- Grayson 7,636
- Gregory 2,925
- Guy 2,646
- Gareth 2,092
- Gethin 1,880
- Georgie 1,872
- Gary 1,575
- Gavin 1,422
- Giovanni 1,252
- Grant 1,199
FAQ
Galileo: questions and answers
How popular is the name Galileo in the UK right now?
In 2011, Galileo was ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Galileo most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 3 babies registered as Galileo in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Galileo?
An Italian masculine name meaning "the milk-citizen from Galilee".
How many people are called Galileo in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Galileo across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.