Find out how popular the first name Nestor has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nestor by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Nestor is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 91 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nestor.

The history of the first name Nestor

The given name Nestor is of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek word "nestōr," which means "he who returns home." It is believed to have originated around the 8th century BC in ancient Greece. The name is associated with Nestor, a wise and skilled orator from Homer's Iliad, who was known for his eloquence and advice to the younger generation.

In Greek mythology, Nestor was the son of Neleus and Chloris, and he was one of the Argonauts who accompanied Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece. He was also one of the oldest and most respected leaders in the Trojan War, known for his wisdom, experience, and ability to provide counsel to the younger warriors.

The earliest recorded use of the name Nestor can be traced back to ancient Greek literature and historical records. It was a popular name among the ancient Greeks, particularly in the regions of the Peloponnese and Ionia.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nestor. One of the earliest was Nestor of Laranda (c. 420 BC), a Greek philosopher and mathematician known for his work on conic sections. Another was Nestor the Chronicler (c. 1056-1114), a Russian monk and author of the Primary Chronicle, which is considered one of the most important sources for early Russian history.

In the 17th century, Nestor Denis (1642-1708) was a French missionary and explorer who traveled to Canada and documented the indigenous cultures of North America. Nestor Makhno (1888-1934) was a Ukrainian anarchist revolutionary who led an anarchist insurgency against various military forces during the Russian Civil War.

One of the most famous individuals with the name Nestor was Nestor Pilt (1912-1975), an Estonian chess player and International Grandmaster. He was one of the strongest players in the world during the mid-20th century and won several prestigious tournaments, including the USSR Chess Championship in 1953.

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 Nestor was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!