← Glossary · Named giants (glossary) · All races · Nephilim
Giants appear across scripture, the Qumran scrolls, myth and saga, ancient historiography, and the modern medical record. This section lists the ones that are named — the individuals a source actually calls by name — and keeps each one tied to the kind of source it rests on.
The source class is the point of the page. A giant named in Genesis, a giant named in a Qumran fragment, a giant reported by Pliny, and a man measured by physicians at Washington University are four different kinds of claim, and mixing them is how this subject usually goes wrong. Heights are shown as recorded by that source, in that source’s own units, never converted into an assertion of fact. Where two traditions give different figures for the same person — Goliath is the standard case — both are shown.
Every card carries two icons: opens that giant’s own page, and opens the glossary definition.
For giant races and lineages rather than individuals (Nephilim, Anakim, Rephaim, Emim, Zamzumim, Gibborim), see All races. For the Watchers named as the fathers of the Nephilim — Shemihazah, Azazel and the rest of the two hundred — see Fallen Angels and Grigori / Watchers.
Named in the Hebrew Bible or New Testament canon. Heights are given only where the text gives them, in the text’s own units.
Also known as: Goliath of Gath
Lineage: Rephaim (Philistine champion) · race detail
Where & when: Gath, Philistia · c. 11th century BC
Stature as recorded: Masoretic Text: six cubits and a span (about 9 ft 9 in / 2.97 m). Septuagint, 4QSam-a and Josephus: four cubits and a span (about 6 ft 9 in / 2.06 m)
References: 1 Samuel 17:4-7; 2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 20:5
Also known as: Og king of Bashan
Lineage: Rephaim · race detail
Where & when: Bashan, Transjordan (Ashtaroth and Edrei) · c. 13th century BC
Stature as recorded: Bed of iron nine cubits long and four cubits wide (about 13 ft 6 in by 6 ft / 4.1 m by 1.8 m)
References: Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-11; Joshua 12:4; Psalm 135:11
Also known as: Anak son of Arba
Lineage: Anakim (eponym) · race detail
Where & when: Hebron, Canaan · c. 15th-13th century BC
Stature as recorded: Not stated; the spies reported "we were in our own sight as grasshoppers"
References: Numbers 13:22, 13:28, 13:33; Joshua 15:13-14; Judges 1:20
Also known as: Arba father of Anak
Lineage: Anakim · race detail
Where & when: Kiriath-arba (Hebron), Canaan · c. 16th-15th century BC
Stature as recorded: Not stated; called "the greatest man among the Anakim"
References: Joshua 14:15; Joshua 15:13; Joshua 21:11
Lineage: Anakim (son of Anak) · race detail
Where & when: Hebron, Canaan · c. 15th-13th century BC
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:10
Lineage: Anakim (son of Anak) · race detail
Where & when: Hebron, Canaan · c. 15th-13th century BC
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:10
Also known as: Talmai son of Anak
Lineage: Anakim (son of Anak) · race detail
Where & when: Hebron, Canaan · c. 15th-13th century BC
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:10
Also known as: Ishbibenob
Lineage: Rephaim (sons of the Rapha) · race detail
Where & when: Philistia · c. 10th century BC
Stature as recorded: Not stated; bronze spearhead weighing 300 shekels (about 7.5 lb / 3.4 kg)
References: 2 Samuel 21:16-17
Also known as: Sippai
Lineage: Rephaim (sons of the Rapha) · race detail
Where & when: Gob / Gezer, Philistia · c. 10th century BC
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: 2 Samuel 21:18; 1 Chronicles 20:4
Also known as: Lahmi the brother of Goliath
Lineage: Rephaim (sons of the Rapha) · race detail
Where & when: Gath, Philistia · c. 10th century BC
Stature as recorded: Not stated; spear shaft "like a weaver's beam"
References: 1 Chronicles 20:5; compare 2 Samuel 21:19
Also known as: Nimrod son of Cush
Lineage: Gibborim (mighty one) · race detail
Where & when: Shinar / Mesopotamia · Post-Flood antiquity
Stature as recorded: Not stated in the Hebrew; the Septuagint renders gibbor as gigas ("giant")
References: Genesis 10:8-12; 1 Chronicles 1:10; Micah 5:6
Also known as: Sihon king of the Amorites
Lineage: Amorite king (giant by tradition)
Where & when: Heshbon, Transjordan · c. 13th century BC
Stature as recorded: Not stated in scripture; rabbinic midrash makes him Og's brother and of like stature
References: Numbers 21:21-31; Deuteronomy 2:24-37; Psalm 136:19
Named in the Dead Sea Scrolls (notably the Book of Giants), 1 Enoch, Jubilees and related non-canonical literature.
Also known as: Ohya
Lineage: Nephilim (son of Shemihazah) · race detail
Where & when: Mount Hermon / Mesopotamia · Pre-Flood
Stature as recorded: Not stated individually; 1 Enoch 7:2 gives the giants as 3,000 cubits
References: 4Q203; 4Q530; 4Q531; 1 Enoch 7:2
Also known as: Hahya
Lineage: Nephilim (son of Shemihazah) · race detail
Where & when: Mount Hermon / Mesopotamia · Pre-Flood
Stature as recorded: Not stated individually
References: 4Q530; 4Q531
Also known as: Mahway
Lineage: Nephilim (son of Barakel) · race detail
Where & when: Mount Hermon to the ends of the earth · Pre-Flood
Stature as recorded: Not stated individually
References: 4Q530; 4Q203 frag. 8
Also known as: Gilgamos
Lineage: Nephilim (named among the giants) · race detail
Where & when: Mesopotamia / Uruk · Pre-Flood in the scroll; Early Dynastic in the epic
Stature as recorded: Epic of Gilgamesh: eleven cubits in height, four cubits across the chest
References: 4Q530; 4Q531; Epic of Gilgamesh Tablet I
Also known as: Humbaba; Huwawa
Lineage: Nephilim (named among the giants) · race detail
Where & when: Cedar Forest / Mesopotamia · Pre-Flood in the scroll
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: 4Q203; 4Q530
Also known as: Adam ha-Rishon
Lineage: First man (of vast stature in aggadah) · race detail
Where & when: Eden / the earth · Primordial
Stature as recorded: Talmud Chagigah 12a: from the earth to the firmament, and from one end of the world to the other, before being diminished
References: Babylonian Talmud, Chagigah 12a; Sanhedrin 38b; Genesis Rabbah 8:1
Named in Greek, Roman, Norse, Islamic, Celtic and Asian tradition. Recorded as tradition, not asserted as history.
Lineage: Gigantes (king of the Giants) · race detail
Where & when: Phlegra / Pallene · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Pindar, Pythian 8; Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.6.2
Also known as: Alkyoneus
Lineage: Gigantes · race detail
Where & when: Pallene, Thrace · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.6.1; Pindar, Nemean 4
Lineage: Gigantes · race detail
Where & when: Sicily (Mount Etna) · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.6.2; Virgil, Aeneid 3.578-582
Also known as: Otos
Lineage: Aloadae · race detail
Where & when: Thessaly · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Homer: nine cubits broad and nine fathoms tall at nine years old (about 54 ft / 16.5 m)
References: Homer, Odyssey 11.305-320; Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.7.4
Also known as: Ephialtes of the Aloadae
Lineage: Aloadae · race detail
Where & when: Thessaly · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Homer: nine cubits broad and nine fathoms tall at nine years old (about 54 ft / 16.5 m)
References: Homer, Odyssey 11.305-320; Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.7.4, 1.6.2
Also known as: Tityus
Lineage: Son of Gaia · race detail
Where & when: Euboea / Tartarus · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Homer: his body covered nine acres (roughly nine plethra) as he lay
References: Homer, Odyssey 11.576-581; Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.4.1
Also known as: Antaios
Lineage: Son of Poseidon and Gaia · race detail
Where & when: Libya / North Africa · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated by Homer; Plutarch reports Sertorius opening a tomb at Tingis said to hold a 60-cubit body
References: Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2.5.11; Plutarch, Life of Sertorius 9
Lineage: Cyclopes
Where & when: Sicily (traditionally) · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated; his club is compared to the mast of a twenty-oared ship
References: Homer, Odyssey 9.105-566; Euripides, Cyclops
Also known as: Geryones
Lineage: Three-bodied giant
Where & when: Erytheia (traditionally Gades / Cadiz) · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated; described as three-bodied or three-headed
References: Hesiod, Theogony 287-294; Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2.5.10
Also known as: Talus
Lineage: Bronze automaton giant
Where & when: Crete · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 4.1638-1688; Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.9.26
Lineage: Giant son of Poseidon
Where & when: Boeotia / Chios / Crete · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated; able to walk through the sea with his head above the waves
References: Homer, Odyssey 11.572-575; Hesiod, Astronomy fr. 4
Lineage: Fire-breathing giant, son of Vulcan
Where & when: Aventine Hill, Rome · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Virgil, Aeneid 8.190-267; Livy 1.7; Ovid, Fasti 1.543-582
Lineage: Titans · race detail
Where & when: Far west / Atlas Mountains, North Africa · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated; large enough to bear the heavens
References: Hesiod, Theogony 517-520; Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 2.5.11
Also known as: Kronos; Saturn
Lineage: Titans · race detail
Where & when: Mount Othrys / Elysium · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Hesiod, Theogony 453-506; Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.1.5-1.2.1
Also known as: Typhoeus
Lineage: Son of Gaia and Tartarus
Where & when: Cilicia / Mount Etna · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Hesiod: head brushing the stars, hands reaching east and west
References: Hesiod, Theogony 820-880; Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 1.6.3
Also known as: Aurgelmir
Lineage: Jotnar (primordial)
Where & when: Ginnungagap · Primordial
Stature as recorded: Not stated; the world is made from his body
References: Gylfaginning 5-8; Voluspa 3; Vafthrudnismal 21
Lineage: Jotnar
Where & when: Jotunheim · Primordial
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Gylfaginning 7; Vafthrudnismal 29
Also known as: Surt
Lineage: Fire jotnar
Where & when: Muspelheim · From before creation to Ragnarok
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Voluspa 52; Gylfaginning 4, 51; Vafthrudnismal 17-18
Also known as: Thrym
Lineage: Jotnar (king of the giants)
Where & when: Jotunheim · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Thrymskvida (Poetic Edda)
Also known as: Utgarda-Loki (in disguise)
Lineage: Jotnar
Where & when: Jotunheim / Utgard · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: So large that Thor and his companions slept in the thumb of his glove, mistaking it for a hall
References: Gylfaginning 45-47
Lineage: Jotnar
Where & when: Jotunheim / Grjotunagardar · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated; head, heart and shield all of stone
References: Skaldskaparmal 17; Haustlong
Also known as: Thiazi
Lineage: Jotnar
Where & when: Thrymheim, Jotunheim · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Skaldskaparmal 1-3; Harbardsljod 19; Gylfaginning
Also known as: Skadi Thjazadottir
Lineage: Jotnar (goddess of the hunt)
Where & when: Thrymheim, Jotunheim · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Skaldskaparmal 2; Gylfaginning 23; Lokasenna
Also known as: Angrbodha
Lineage: Jotnar
Where & when: Jarnvid, Jotunheim · Mythic age
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Hyndluljod 40; Gylfaginning 34
Also known as: Og son of Anak; Awj ibn Unuq
Lineage: Anakim (Islamic recension) · race detail
Where & when: Levant / Egypt · Age of Moses
Stature as recorded: Traditions vary wildly, from several hundred to several thousand cubits; the figures are legendary and mutually inconsistent
References: Al-Tabari, History; Al-Thalabi, Ara'is al-Majalis (Lives of the Prophets)
Also known as: Shaddad
Lineage: Tribe of Ad · race detail
Where & when: Southern Arabia (Iram of the Pillars) · Pre-Islamic antiquity
Stature as recorded: Not stated; the Ad are described in the Quran as of great stature and strength
References: Quran 7:65-72; 26:123-140; 89:6-8; Al-Tabari, History
Also known as: Goemagot; Gogmagoc
Lineage: Giants of Albion
Where & when: Cornwall / Plymouth Hoe, Britain · Legendary founding of Britain
Stature as recorded: Geoffrey of Monmouth: twelve cubits (about 18 ft / 5.5 m)
References: Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia Regum Britanniae 1.16; Wace, Roman de Brut
Also known as: Ysbaddaden Chief Giant
Lineage: Welsh giants
Where & when: Wales · Arthurian legendary age
Stature as recorded: Not stated; his eyelids must be propped up with forks
References: Culhwch ac Olwen (Mabinogion), White Book of Rhydderch
Also known as: Bran the Blessed
Lineage: Welsh giants
Where & when: Harlech, Wales and Ireland · Legendary age
Stature as recorded: Not stated; too large for any house or ship, he waded the Irish Sea
References: Branwen ferch Llyr (Second Branch of the Mabinogi)
Also known as: Finn McCool
Lineage: Irish giants (in later folklore)
Where & when: Ireland (Giant's Causeway, Antrim) · Fenian Cycle / later folklore
Stature as recorded: Not stated
References: Fenian Cycle; Ulster and Hebridean oral tradition
Lineage: Scottish giants
Where & when: Scotland and Antrim, Ireland · Later folklore
Stature as recorded: Not stated; described as far larger than Fionn
References: Ulster and Scottish oral tradition
Also known as: Ferracutus; Ferraut
Lineage: Saracen giant
Where & when: Najera, Spain · Legendary reign of Charlemagne
Stature as recorded: Historia Caroli Magni: twelve cubits, with a face a cubit long
References: Historia Caroli Magni (Pseudo-Turpin), ch. 17-18
Also known as: Basajaunak (plural)
Lineage: Basque wild-folk
Where & when: Pyrenees, Basque Country · Folklore
Stature as recorded: Not stated; described as very tall and hairy
References: Basque oral tradition, collected by Jose Miguel de Barandiaran
Lineage: Rakshasa
Where & when: Lanka · Treta Yuga (traditional)
Stature as recorded: Ramayana: of mountainous size, described in yojanas
References: Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda
Also known as: P'an-ku
Lineage: Primordial giant
Where & when: China (cosmogonic) · Primordial
Stature as recorded: Grew ten feet a day for 18,000 years, separating heaven and earth
References: Xu Zheng, Sanwu Liji (3rd century AD)
Also known as: Daidarabochi
Lineage: Yokai giant
Where & when: Japan (Kanto and beyond) · Folklore
Stature as recorded: Not stated; large enough to lift Mount Fuji
References: Japanese regional folklore; Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki
Named individuals reported by a named ancient or medieval historian who states where, when and how large. These are records of a claim, not verified measurements.
Lineage: Human of extreme stature (reported) · race detail
Where & when: Arabia, brought to Rome · Reign of Claudius, AD 41-54
Stature as recorded: Pliny: nine feet nine inches (Roman measure, about 2.9 m)
References: Pliny the Elder, Natural History 7.16
Lineage: Human of extreme stature (reported) · race detail
Where & when: Rome (Gardens of Sallust) · Reign of Augustus, 27 BC - AD 14
Stature as recorded: Pliny: half a foot taller than Gabbara, so about ten feet three inches (Roman measure)
References: Pliny the Elder, Natural History 7.16
Lineage: Human of extreme stature (reported) · race detail
Where & when: Rome (Gardens of Sallust) · Reign of Augustus, 27 BC - AD 14
Stature as recorded: Pliny: half a foot taller than Gabbara, so about ten feet three inches (Roman measure)
References: Pliny the Elder, Natural History 7.16
Also known as: Eleazar
Lineage: Human of extreme stature (reported) · race detail
Where & when: Parthia to Rome · Reign of Tiberius, AD 14-37
Stature as recorded: Josephus: seven cubits (about 10 ft 6 in / 3.2 m)
References: Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 18.4.5
Also known as: Orestes son of Agamemnon
Lineage: Heroic-age remains (reported)
Where & when: Tegea, Arcadia · Reported c. 550 BC; identified as the heroic age
Stature as recorded: Herodotus: a coffin seven cubits long containing a body of the same length (about 10 ft 6 in / 3.2 m)
References: Herodotus, Histories 1.67-68
Also known as: Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus
Lineage: Human of extreme stature (reported) · race detail
Where & when: Thrace; Rome · AD c. 173-238
Stature as recorded: Historia Augusta: eight feet six inches. Modern scholarly estimate: about 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
References: Historia Augusta, Life of the Two Maximini 6; Herodian 7.1
Also known as: The Onondaga Giant
Lineage: Hoax (carved gypsum figure)
Where & when: Cardiff, Onondaga County, New York · Unearthed 16 October 1869
Stature as recorded: Carved figure measuring 10 ft (3.05 m)
References: Contemporary newspaper record; O. C. Marsh's examination, 1869; now held at the Farmers' Museum, Cooperstown NY
People of giant stature measured under modern conditions, with a named cause where one is known. This is the only class on the page where the height itself is verified.
Also known as: Robert Pershing Wadlow; the Alton Giant
Lineage: Human (pituitary hyperplasia) · race detail
Where & when: Alton, Illinois, USA · 1918-1940
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 11.1 in (272 cm), measured 27 June 1940
References: Washington University School of Medicine measurement, 1940; Guinness World Records
Lineage: Human (ankylosis with gigantism) · race detail
Where & when: Sumner County, Tennessee, USA · 1868-1905
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 9 in (267 cm)
References: Contemporary medical record; Guinness World Records
Also known as: The Buffalo Giant
Lineage: Human (acromegalic gigantism) · race detail
Where & when: Buffalo, New York, USA · 1932-1969
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 7.75 in (263.5 cm) estimated, corrected for severe kyphoscoliosis
References: Contemporary medical record; Guinness World Records
Also known as: Vaino Myllyrinne
Lineage: Human (acromegalic gigantism) · race detail
Where & when: Helsinki, Finland · 1909-1963
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 3 in (251 cm)
References: Finnish national records; Guinness World Records
Also known as: The Willow Bunch Giant
Lineage: Human (pituitary tumour) · race detail
Where & when: Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, Canada · 1881-1904
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 3 in (251 cm)
References: University of Montreal records; Guinness World Records
Lineage: Human (eunuchoid gigantism) · race detail
Where & when: Anthon, Iowa, USA · 1897-1921
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 2 in (249 cm)
References: US World War I draft registration, 1918; Guinness World Records
Lineage: Human (pituitary gigantism) · race detail
Where & when: Denton, Montana, USA · 1925-1981
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 2 in (249 cm)
References: Guinness World Records
Also known as: Sultan Kosen
Lineage: Human (pituitary adenoma) · race detail
Where & when: Mardin, Turkey · born 1982
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 2.8 in (251 cm), verified 2011 and re-verified since
References: Guinness World Records verification, 2009-2011; University of Virginia Medical Center
Lineage: Human (pituitary gigantism) · race detail
Where & when: Yujiang, Hunan, China · 1964-1982
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 1.75 in (248 cm)
References: Chinese medical record; Guinness World Records
Also known as: Anna Swan; the Nova Scotia Giantess
Lineage: Human (pituitary gigantism) · race detail
Where & when: Mill Brook, Nova Scotia, Canada · 1846-1888
Stature as recorded: 7 ft 11 in (241 cm)
References: Contemporary physicians' reports; Guinness World Records
Also known as: Giant MacAskill
Lineage: Human (no known pathology) · race detail
Where & when: Berneray, Scotland, and St Ann's, Cape Breton, Canada · 1825-1863
Stature as recorded: 7 ft 9 in (236 cm)
References: Contemporary record; Guinness World Records
Also known as: The Irish Giant
Lineage: Human (AIP gene mutation) · race detail
Where & when: Littlebridge, County Londonderry, Ireland; London · 1761-1783
Stature as recorded: 7 ft 7 in (231 cm)
References: Chahal et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2011; Hunterian Museum records
Also known as: De Groote Meid (the Big Girl)
Lineage: Human (gigantism, cause undetermined) · race detail
Where & when: Edam, North Holland, Netherlands · 1616-1633
Stature as recorded: 8 ft 4 in (254 cm) as recorded
References: Edams Museum collection and town records
Lineage: Human (pituitary tumour) · race detail
Where & when: Podolyantsi, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine · 1970-2014
Stature as recorded: Claimed 8 ft 5 in (257 cm); never independently verified
References: Guinness World Records (title withdrawn 2008)
Lineage: Human (pituitary tumour) · race detail
Where & when: Shucheng County, Anhui, China · 1972-2012
Stature as recorded: 7 ft 8 in (233 cm)
References: Guinness World Records
76 named giants on record · 19 resting on a first-hand examination or eyewitness report. Select a class to filter.
Unnamed giants. This page lists names. Scripture also describes giants it does not name — the six-fingered man of Gath (2 Samuel 21:20), the four sons of the Rapha as a group, the Emim and Zamzumim as peoples. Those belong with the races and lineages, not here.
Unnamed skeleton reports. Nineteenth- and twentieth-century newspaper accounts of giant skeletons in burial mounds, and the red-haired Si-Te-Cah of Paiute oral tradition associated with Lovelock Cave, Nevada, describe peoples and finds rather than named individuals, and almost none survive independent verification. They are not listed as named giants.
Fiction. Figures invented for literature or advertising — Paul Bunyan among them — are excluded. The one fabrication that is listed, the Cardiff Giant, appears under historiography because the fraud itself is a documented historical event with a paper trail, and because the most famous American giant being a carved block of gypsum is the single most useful fact on this page.
All races Nephilim Grigori / Watchers Fallen Angels Glossary