Nels

A boys’ name of Old Norse origin, meaning son of Neil; a form of Niels.

Babies a year
16
the US, 2017
Rarity
Very rare
among names in use
US popularity
—
outside the top 1000
UK popularity
—
outside the ONS list

Nels by the numbers

Nels was given to 16 American babies in 2017, the most recent full year we hold.

Its American peak was 65 babies in 1918, so it is a 1910s name that has since fallen a long way.

Other names that come from Neil

Like Nels, each of these traces back to Neil: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.

  • Neilcloud or champion419 in the US (2017)
  • Nelsonson of Neil, the champion407 in the US (2017)
  • Nylesson of Neil; a form of Niles32 in the US (2017)
  • Neiliachampion; a form of Neil5 in the US (2017)
  • Neilsonson of Neil the champion5 in the US (2017)

Spelled almost the same

Other names in the records within a letter or two of Nels. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.

  • Nilsvictory of the people; Scandinavian form of Nicholas4 in England and Wales (2025)
  • Nielsvictory of the people; a form of nicholas14 in the US (2017)
  • Nessheadland or promontory8 in the US (2017)
  • Nelo6 in the US (2017)

Names about as common as Nels

AarianAbdiazizHasnainLorikUthmanEisaSantiAhmere

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