How Many People Are Named Nels?
Complete statistics for the name Nels: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Nels is a very rare male name, with only 1,803 people bearing it in the US today, making up just 1 in 182,985 Americans. The majority of those named Nels are over 60, giving the name a decidedly older-generation feel.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 5 symbolizes adventure, change, and freedom.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 78All 3,807 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1918Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Nels Through the Generations
Nels has been a name that's seen its ups and downs over the decades. It peaked in popularity in 1918 with 65 births, but since then, its usage has dwindled significantly. Today, the name is predominantly carried by older individuals, with 69% of those named Nels being over 60 years old. This trend suggests that while Nels might be rising again in some circles, it remains a classic, old-school name with a strong connection to past generations.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
📄 About the Name Nels
How Many People Have the Name Nels?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 149 people in the United States currently share the name Nels. That works out to roughly 1 in every 2,224,492 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Nels a Common or Rare Name?
Nels is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Nels Mean?
Nels means "Derived from Norse origins, meaning 'sacred'" and comes from Norse origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Nels in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Nels Most Popular?
The name Nels reached peak popularity in 1918, with 65 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Nels?
Approximately 149 people named Nels live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 149. That works out to roughly 1 in 2,224,492 Americans.
Is Nels a rare name?
Nels is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 2,224,492 Americans has this name.
What does the name Nels mean?
Nels means "Derived from Norse origins, meaning 'sacred'" and comes from Norse origins.
Is Nels more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Nels are male and 0% are female.
When was Nels most popular?
Nels peaked in 1918 with 65 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.