Nihan
A feminine Turkish name meaning "flower bud" or "rose bud".
Name Census estimates that about 253 living Americans carry the first name Nihan. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 73.7% of registrations being female. The average person named Nihan today is around 5 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Nihan births was 2020 (70 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Nihan. 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.
For a British comparison, Name Census UK has a UK baby-name profile for Nihan with official rankings and popularity over time.
People living today
253
~ 1 in 1,354,760 Americans
Peak year
2020
70 babies that year
Average age
5
years old
2024 SSA rank
#5,091
Tracked since 2015
Gender
Gender distribution for Nihan
Nihan is one of the more evenly split names in the SSA data. Of the 255 total registrations, 67 (26.3%) were male and 188 (73.7%) were female.
Nihan as a male name
- Ranked #8,743 in 2024
- 9 male births in 2024
- Peak: 2015 (12 births)
Nihan as a female name
- Ranked #5,091 in 2024
- 26 female births in 2024
- Peak: 2020 (64 births)
Popularity
Nihan: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Nihan from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 215 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nihan 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 Nihan during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Nihans live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. California, Texas, Florida recorded the most babies named Nihan, while New York, New Jersey, Florida recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 19 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Nihan
The name Nihan has its origins in the Persian language, tracing back to the Middle Persian era around the 3rd to 7th centuries CE. It is derived from the Persian word "nihan," which means "hidden" or "concealed." This name holds deep cultural significance in regions where Persian influence has been prominent, such as parts of Central Asia and the Middle East.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nihan can be found in ancient Persian literature, particularly in the epic poems of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, which dates back to the late 10th century CE. The name is mentioned in reference to characters and historical figures, reflecting its usage during that period.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nihan. One such example is Nihan Isgandarova (1916-1945), an Azerbaijani partisan and Soviet military leader who fought against Nazi forces during World War II. She was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for her bravery and sacrifices.
Another prominent figure is Nihan Hüseynova (1924-2003), an Azerbaijani artist and painter known for her contributions to the development of modern Azerbaijani art. Her works have been exhibited in various galleries and museums, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
In the realm of literature, Nihan Khatun (1753-1821) was a renowned Persian poet and calligrapher from the Qajar dynasty. Her poetic works, encompassing themes of love, spirituality, and the human experience, have been widely celebrated and studied.
Moving to the field of music, Nihan Devecioglu (1964-) is a Turkish singer and songwriter who has gained recognition for her unique blend of traditional Turkish music with modern influences. Her powerful vocals and captivating performances have earned her a dedicated following both in Turkey and abroad.
Lastly, Nihan Yucedag (1984-) is a contemporary Turkish actress known for her roles in various television series and films. Her talent and versatility have contributed to the growth and popularity of Turkish cinema on the international stage.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Nihan throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural diversity.
People
Nihan + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Nihan 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
Nihan: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Nihan?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 253 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Nihan 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 1,354,760 US residents.
Is Nihan a common name?
We classify Nihan as "Very Rare". It ranks above 77.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 255 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Nihan most popular?
The single biggest year for Nihan was 2020, when 70 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Nihan is about 5 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Nihan in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Nihan a female name?
Yes, 73.7% of people registered as Nihan 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.
Is Nihan still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Nihan in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Nihan can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Nihan?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.