Miles
Miles: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /maɪlz/
Meaning and origin of Miles
Root meaning: “soldier”
- A male given name from an uncertain origin.
Etymology
From Old French given name Milo, of problematic origin, possibly from an unknown Germanic element, or a short form of Slavic names beginning with mil- "grace, favor". The English form is associated by folk etymology with Latin mīles (“soldier”). As a surname, it is also derived from a Middle English Miles form of Michael.
How popular is Miles?
Since 1880, 357 girls and 122,868 boys in the U.S. have been named Miles (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3771 in 1927. Its highest rank for boys was #37 in 2024. In 2025 it ranked #44 for boys, with 6,085 babies given the name.
Names similar to Miles
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More French boy names
Sibling name ideas for Miles
Sister and brother names that share Miles's French roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Miles FAQ
What does the name Miles mean?
Miles traces back to a root meaning "soldier". A male given name from an uncertain origin. From Old French given name Milo, of problematic origin, possibly from an unknown Germanic element, or a short form of Slavic names beginning with mil- "grace, favor". The English form is associated by folk etymology with Latin mīles (“soldier”). As a surname, it is also derived from a Middle English Miles form of Michael.
What is the origin of the name Miles?
Miles is listed as a name of French origin.
How popular is the name Miles?
Since 1880, 357 girls and 122,868 boys in the U.S. have been named Miles (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3771 in 1927. Its highest rank for boys was #37 in 2024. In 2025 it ranked #44 for boys, with 6,085 babies given the name.
Is Miles a boy or girl name?
Miles is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 357 girls and 122,868 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.