Nils
A boys’ name of Greek origin, meaning victory of the people; Scandinavian form of Nicholas.
Nils by the numbers
In 2025, 4 babies in England and Wales were named Nils. In the US, 18 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its American peak was 48 babies in 1970, making it a 1970s name.
Other names that come from Nicholas
Like Nils, each of these traces back to Nicholas: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Nicolevictory of the people; a form of Nicholas1,654 in the US (2017)
- Nixonson of Nicholas634 in the US (2017)
- Nikovictory; a form of Nicholas514 in the US (2017)
- Nikolasvictory of the people; form of Nicholas460 in the US (2017)
- Nickolasvictory of the people; a form of Nicholas218 in the US (2017)
- Niklausvictory of the people; a form of Nicholas155 in the US (2017)
- Nickvictory of the people; short form of Nicholas146 in the US (2017)
- Nikolavictory of the people; a form of Nicholas137 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Nils. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Nils
Names that are said the same way as Nils, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Nylesson of Neil; a form of Niles32 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean victory
Like Nils, 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 Nils
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