How Many People Are Named Niels?
Complete statistics for the name Niels: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Niels means 'saint' in Greek, making it a rare gem among names. Only 1,016 people named Niels live in the US today, which means just 1 in 324,690 Americans have this name. The majority of Nielses are over 60, giving the name a decidedly older-generation vibe.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 5 symbolizes freedom, adventure, and change.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 56All 1,446 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: 1957Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Niels Through the Generations
Niels has been a steady presence in American naming trends since the mid-20th century, peaking in popularity in 1957 with 31 births. Today, the name's bearers span three distinct age groups, with 370 under 30, 428 aged 30 to 60, and 648 over 60. This distribution suggests a slow but steady rise in usage, positioning Niels as a name that bridges classic and modern sensibilities. With nearly half of those named Niels being over 60, the name carries a strong association with an earlier era, yet it continues to attract new generations.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Niels's Greek roots
📄 About the Name Niels
How Many People Have the Name Niels?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 1,016 people in the United States currently share the name Niels. That works out to roughly 1 in every 324,690 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Niels a Common or Rare Name?
Niels 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 Niels Mean?
Niels means "saint" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Niels in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Niels Most Popular?
The name Niels reached peak popularity in 1957, with 31 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly 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 Niels?
Approximately 1,016 people named Niels live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 1,446. That works out to roughly 1 in 324,690 Americans.
Is Niels a rare name?
Niels is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 324,690 Americans has this name.
What does the name Niels mean?
Niels means "saint" and comes from Greek origins.
Is Niels more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Niels are male and 0% are female.
When was Niels most popular?
Niels peaked in 1957 with 31 births that year. Current trend: Slowly 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.