How Many People Are Named Nils?
Complete statistics for the name Nils: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Nils, a very rare male name, is held by just 2,104 people in the US, making up 1 in 156,835 Americans. The name peaked in popularity back in 1970 with 48 births, and now it's slowly declining, becoming more of a classic choice.
📖 Meaning & Origin
People with the life path number 9 are often seen as compassionate and understanding.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 57All 3,061 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: 1970Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Nils Through the Generations
Nils, a name with Scandinavian roots, has seen its peak in the mid-20th century. With only 3,061 total births recorded since the dawn of official records, it's clear that Nils is a name that's been passed down through generations rather than being widely adopted. Today, the majority of those named Nils are over 60, indicating a strong preference for this name among older generations. This trend suggests that while Nils might be less common among younger parents, it remains a cherished choice for many families.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Nils's Scandinavian roots
📄 About the Name Nils
How Many People Have the Name Nils?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 2,104 people in the United States currently share the name Nils. That works out to roughly 1 in every 156,835 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Nils a Common or Rare Name?
Nils 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 Nils Mean?
Nils means "Scandinavian for 'saint'" and comes from Scandinavian origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 9.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Nils in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Nils Most Popular?
The name Nils reached peak popularity in 1970, with 48 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
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 Nils?
Approximately 2,104 people named Nils live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 3,061. That works out to roughly 1 in 156,835 Americans.
Is Nils a rare name?
Nils is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 156,835 Americans has this name.
What does the name Nils mean?
Nils means "Scandinavian for 'saint'" and comes from Scandinavian origins.
Is Nils more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Nils are male and 0% are female.
When was Nils most popular?
Nils peaked in 1970 with 48 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.
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.