Neli
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a diminutive form of Cornelia.
Name Census estimates that about 306 living Americans carry the first name Neli. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Neli today is around 22 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Neli births was 2007 (15 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Neli. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
306
~ 1 in 1,120,112 Americans
Peak year
2007
15 babies that year
Average age
22
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,782
Tracked since 1975
Popularity
Neli: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Neli from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 106 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2000s peak, Neli remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Neli by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Neli during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Nelis live
Origin
Meaning and history of Neli
The name Neli is of Slavic origin and is believed to have its roots in the Bulgarian language. It is derived from the Bulgarian word "nel," which means "tender" or "gentle." The name Neli has been in use for centuries in various Slavic countries, particularly in Bulgaria and the surrounding regions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Neli can be traced back to the 9th century, when it was mentioned in ancient Slavic texts and chronicles. During this time, the name was primarily associated with the Bulgarian nobility and aristocracy, and it was often given to girls from prominent families.
Throughout history, the name Neli has appeared in various literary works and religious texts. In the 14th century, a Bulgarian manuscript known as the "Neli Codex" was written, which contained various religious texts and hymns. This codex is considered an important part of the Bulgarian literary heritage and is a testament to the longstanding use of the name.
Among the notable historical figures who bore the name Neli, one can mention Neli Kordova (1872-1944), a Bulgarian actress and playwright who made significant contributions to the development of Bulgarian theater in the early 20th century. Another prominent figure was Neli Ranghelova (1916-2000), a Bulgarian painter and artist whose works are celebrated for their vibrant colors and depictions of Bulgarian folk life.
In the realm of literature, Neli Dobreva (1915-2000) was a renowned Bulgarian writer and poet, known for her lyrical works that explored themes of love, nature, and the human experience. Her poetry collections, such as "Singing Stones" and "Echoes of Eternity," have left a lasting impact on Bulgarian literature.
It is also worth mentioning Neli Vasileva (1925-2005), a Bulgarian soprano and opera singer who gained international acclaim for her performances in various opera houses around the world. Her rich and powerful voice earned her numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.
Another notable figure was Neli Krasteva (1949-2005), a Bulgarian volleyball player who represented her country in multiple international competitions, including the Olympics. She was a key member of the Bulgarian national team that won numerous medals and championships during her playing career.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Neli, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich cultural heritage of their respective countries and regions.
People
Neli + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Neli as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Neli: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Neli?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 306 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Neli going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,120,112 US residents.
Is Neli a common name?
We classify Neli as "Very Rare". It ranks above 79.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 313 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Neli most popular?
The single biggest year for Neli was 2007, when 15 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Neli is about 22 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Neli a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Neli in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.