Niels
A boys’ name of Old Norse origin, meaning victory of the people; a form of nicholas.
Babies a year
14
the US, 2017
Rarity
Very rare
among names in use
US popularity
—
outside the top 1000
UK popularity
—
outside the ONS list
Niels by the numbers
Niels was given to 14 American babies in 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
Its American peak was 31 babies in 1957, making it a 1950s name.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Niels. 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)
- Nelsson of Neil; a form of Niels16 in the US (2017)
- Nigeldark, black; from Nigellus148 in the US (2017)
- Niallcloud, champion46 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nilesriver Nile; of the Nile valley65 in the US (2017)
- Neelychampion; a form of Neill or Niall37 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean victory
Like Niels, each of these has victory in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Nicholasvictory of the people; people's victory5,327 in the US (2017)
- Vincentconquering, victorious3,659 in the US (2017)
- Nicolasvictory of the people; form of Nicholas1,911 in the US (2017)
- Vinnieconquering; from Vincent851 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nicovictory of the people; form of nicholas306 in England and Wales (2025)
- Nasirhelper, protector, victorious749 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Niels
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