Nahel first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Nahel has been for the last 13 years (from 2012 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Nahel

A masculine Arabic name meaning "lion" or "valley".

Popularity of Nahel by gender

Based on the last 13 years of data, Nahel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 17 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nahel.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 17 0
2023 15 0
2022 15 0
2021 19 0
2020 5 0
2016 5 0
2012 5 0

The history of the first name Nahel

The name Nahel is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language. It is derived from the word "nahla," which means "bee" in Arabic. The name is thought to have first emerged in the Middle East region during the 7th century CE, when the Arabic language and culture were spreading across the region.

In Islamic tradition, the bee is considered a symbol of hard work, diligence, and organization. It is praised in the Quran for its ability to produce honey and build intricate hives. As such, the name Nahel may have been given to children as a way of wishing them to embody the positive qualities associated with bees.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Nahel was Nahel ibn Qays, a 7th-century Arabic poet from the Banu Murad tribe. He was known for his eloquent and evocative poetry, which often celebrated the natural beauty of the Arabian Peninsula.

In the 12th century, there was a notable Islamic scholar named Nahel al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī, who made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. He was born in Tus, present-day Iran, and is credited with developing a pioneering model of the planetary movements based on intricate geometrical calculations.

Another historical figure with the name Nahel was Nahel ibn al-Muhallab, a prominent military leader who lived during the 8th century CE. He played a crucial role in the Abbasid Revolution, which overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate and established the Abbasid dynasty in 750 CE.

In more recent times, Nahel Boutros was a Lebanese painter and sculptor who lived from 1898 to 1979. He was renowned for his unique style that blended elements of modern art with traditional Middle Eastern motifs and themes. His works are displayed in numerous galleries and museums across the Middle East.

Nahel Yazid was an Algerian footballer who played as a striker for various clubs in France and Algeria between 1980 and 1998. He was a prolific goal scorer and represented the Algerian national team in several international tournaments, including the 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Nahel was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nahel, please contact us.

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"Nahel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 22, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/nahel-meaning-and-history/.

"Nahel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/nahel-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 22 October, 2025

Nahel first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/nahel-meaning-and-history/.

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