Fun Facts About the Name Nil
- 280 babies named Nil: U.S. records list 280 babies given the name Nil from 1880 through 2025. Even 122 boys received the name Nil.
What Does the Name Nil Mean?
Nil has two independent origins. In Sanskrit, nīla (नील) means "dark blue," "indigo," or "sapphire." The given name, also spelled Neel, is used in India, Bangladesh, and other South Asian communities, usually as a masculine name. The meaning is literal: it refers to the color or the gemstone. In Hindu epic tradition, the related form Nila appears as a vanara, or monkey warrior, in the Ramayana.
The other origin is the name of the Nile River. Greek Neilos (Νεῖλος) became Latin Nilus, and from that came several personal names. Catalan Nil is a masculine given name meaning "Nile." Russian Нил (Nil) is a masculine name used in Orthodox tradition, also from the Greek. Turkish Nil is a feminine given name borrowed from Arabic an-Nīl, the name of the river. The ultimate source of the river name is uncertain; it may derive from an Egyptian or a Semitic root, but the question is disputed.
Nil Name History & Origins
The Sanskrit name Nil is based on nīla, an old Indo-Aryan color term. It is used as a masculine given name in India, Bangladesh, and other South Asian communities, and it appears in English transliteration as both Nil and Neel. The name has no connection to the Nile-derived name except for the shared spelling in Latin script.
The Nile-derived name developed through Greek Neilos (Νεῖλος) and Latin Nilus. The Latin name Nilus was borne by early Christian saints: Saint Nilus of Sinai (died around 430) and Saint Nilus of Rossano (died 1004). In the Slavic Orthodox tradition, the Greek name became Russian Нил (Nil), borne by saints such as Nil Sorsky (died 1508). In Catalan, Nil is a masculine given name taken from the Latin Nilus. In Turkish, Nil is a feminine name borrowed from the Arabic river name an-Nīl. The English word nil, meaning "nothing," comes from Latin nihil and is not related to the personal name. The Scandinavian name Nils is also unrelated; it comes from Nicholas.
How Popular is the Name Nil?
Nil has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2017. Its best rank was #6,463 in 2017.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #8,215 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2024 | #6,549 | 18 | 0.0011% |
| 2023 | #7,163 | 16 | 0.0010% |
| 2022 | #8,906 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2021 | #8,338 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2020 | #16,842 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #8,480 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2018 | #6,715 | 18 | 0.0011% |
| 2017 | #6,463 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 2016 | #10,641 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #10,667 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2014 | #15,999 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #18,531 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #8,719 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2022 | #9,589 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2021 | #11,724 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #9,293 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2015 | #13,482 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #13,445 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 2004 | #8,700 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2001 | #8,095 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2000 | #8,858 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1999 | #6,937 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1998 | #10,823 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #6,471 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | #10,082 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1995 | #9,872 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | #7,526 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | #8,383 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #8,159 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1989 | #7,640 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Nil Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a vivid imagination who can bring inspired messages to the world. You like to enjoy the pleasures of life, and when self is overcome, you can rise to the heights. You have an ability to avoid trouble - that is why you often fails to learn from experiences. You are restless, sociable people-oriented, a lover of change, and a seeker of adventure and new thrills. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
Position and social status is very important for you and you are always looking for way to improve your position in society. You have power and ability to chose your own destiny and achieve anything you want in life. You can expand in any direction according to your will and the set of values. You have passion for justice and belong to the position of authority. You have an inherent courage and endurance to accomplish "The Impossible Dream". With the power comes responsibility. You hold keys to the material world, but with this gift comes high spiritual responsibility to be fair and true to others. You are philosophical and mature, determined and intense with a desire to endure, often religious.
✦ Nil's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Nil's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.