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Nels

Boy

Meaning of Nels: Greek: 'victory of the people'

Nels is a boy's name most strongly associated with Swedish naming. It has 4 letters and 1 syllable, and it is a genuinely rare and unique choice — 4477th most popular boys' name in the United States in 2025.

US rank 2025

#4477

22 babies in 2025

England & Wales 2024

—

Fewer than 3 babies or unlisted

US babies since 1880

3,841

First recorded 1880 · peak 1918

Trend

rising

Style: rare

Popularity over time

1981: 31 babies1982: 41 babies1983: 20 babies1984: 27 babies1985: 18 babies1986: 22 babies1987: 22 babies1988: 15 babies1989: 25 babies1990: 23 babies19901991: 17 babies1992: 17 babies1993: 18 babies1994: 12 babies1995: 11 babies1996: 19 babies1997: 14 babies1998: 13 babies1999: 8 babies2000: 14 babies20002001: 14 babies2002: 10 babies2003: 9 babies2004: 12 babies2005: 15 babies2006: 7 babies2007: 12 babies2008: 10 babies2009: 16 babies2010: 17 babies20102011: 12 babies2012: 11 babies2013: 7 babies2014: 21 babies2015: 14 babies2016: 15 babies2017: 16 babies2018: 11 babies2019: 13 babies2020: 16 babies20202021: 23 babies2022: 19 babies2023: 19 babies2024: 18 babies2025: 22 babies
US babies named Nels per year (Social Security Administration). Peak bar = 41.

Gender split

100% boys · 0% girls, based on US, UK and international usage.

Origins & cultures

More Swedish boys' names

Other names starting with N