UK boy's name
Gyles
Derived from the Greek name Aegidius, meaning "young goat" or "kid".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gyles is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Gyles popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4432, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1997 to 2008. 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.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Gyles. 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 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gyles ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 boys were registered as Gyles.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gyles as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4432
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Gyles mean?
The given name Gyles has its origins in the ancient Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "gylios," which means "circular" or "rounded." This name likely emerged during the classical period of ancient Greek civilization, around the 5th century BC.
In its earliest recorded usage, the name Gyles was often associated with individuals involved in the production of pottery or other crafts that involved working with rounded or circular objects. It was a name given to artisans and craftsmen who specialized in creating vessels, bowls, and other ceramic wares.
One of the earliest documented references to the name Gyles can be found in the works of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC. He mentions a potter named Gyles who was renowned for his skillful craftsmanship in creating intricate and beautifully decorated vases.
During the Byzantine era, which lasted from the 4th to the 15th century AD, the name Gyles was commonly used among Greek-speaking populations in the Eastern Roman Empire. It was particularly popular in regions such as Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and the Balkans.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Gyles. One of the earliest recorded was Gyles of Tyre, a Greek merchant and explorer who lived in the 2nd century BC. He is known for his extensive travels throughout the Mediterranean region and his accounts of the lands and cultures he encountered.
Another prominent figure was Gyles of Viterbo, an Italian Renaissance humanist and scholar who lived from 1469 to 1532. He was a prolific writer and contributed significantly to the study of ancient history and literature.
In the 16th century, Gyles Allington (1518-1586) was an English landowner and member of Parliament. He played a role in the religious and political turmoil of the English Reformation and was a supporter of the Protestant cause.
During the 17th century, Gyles Strangways (1615-1675) was an English politician and member of the House of Commons. He was actively involved in the English Civil War and supported the Parliamentarian forces against King Charles I.
In more recent times, Gyles Brandreth (born 1948) is a British writer, broadcaster, and former member of Parliament. He has authored numerous books, including biographies and works of fiction, and has been a prominent figure in British media and politics.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the given name Gyles, which has its roots in the ancient Greek language and was initially associated with craftsmen and artisans working with circular objects.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gyles over time
The chart below shows babies named Gyles registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gyles, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gyles by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gyles 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4432 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Gyles
- 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
Gyles: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gyles in the UK right now?
In 2008, Gyles was ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Gyles most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Gyles in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gyles?
Derived from the Greek name Aegidius, meaning "young goat" or "kid".
How many people are called Gyles in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Gyles across the 2 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.