N
NamyLab

Nils

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Victory of People"

Scandinavian form of Nicholas, derived from Greek meaning victory of the people, long established in Nordic naming traditions.

Themes:nicholasvictorypeoplenorse
UniqueRareStrongPowerfulBold

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Nils

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#4979Ranked in 2024

Loading chart...

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#4979

Nils was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-554

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Nils Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Nils.

8 ideas
nily
Nickname
nils
Nickname
ni
Nickname
NI
Nickname
nilsy
Nickname
nilsie
Nickname
nilso
Nickname
nils
Nickname

Similar Names to Nils

male

Andrew

AN-droo

“Manly; Strong”

#68
|Greek
male

Alexander

al-ig-ZAN-der

“Defender of Men”

#27
|Greek
male

Aaron

AIR-un

“Exalted; Mountain of Strength”

#79
|Hebrew
male

Alex

“Defender”

#205
|Greek
male

Angel

“Messenger”

#63
|Greek
male

Alejandro

“Defender of Men”

#184
|Spanish
male

Andre

“Manly”

#350
|French
male

Aidan

“Little Fiery One”

#312
|Irish
male

Arnold

“Eagle Power”

#1681
|Germanic
male

Andres

“Manly; Courageous”

#197
|Greek

Baby Name Lists That Include Nils

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Nils, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

20 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Nils mean?
Nils means "Victory of People". Scandinavian form of Nicholas, derived from Greek meaning victory of the people, long established in Nordic naming tradi
What is the origin of Nils?
Nils is of Scandinavian origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Nils?
According to the latest SSA data, Nils is currently ranked #4979 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Nils a boy name?
Nils is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Nils?
Popular nicknames for Nils include nily, nils, ni, NI, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Nils?
There are many names similar to Nils in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginScandinavian, Greek
Syllables1
Length4 letters
US Rank#4979
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withN

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Nils

Nils has Scandinavian roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Scandinavian baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Nils appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Scandinavian Baby Names and Unique Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Classic Greek Baby Names and Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Nils pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Nils beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.