Nikul
A masculine name of Indian origin, meaning "blossom" or "flower bud".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Nikul. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Nikul today is around 37 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Nikul births was 1988 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Nikul. 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 Nikul with official rankings and popularity over time.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Nikul. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
1988
6 babies that year
Average age
37
years old
1988 SSA rank
#7,003
Tracked since 1988
Popularity
Nikul: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Nikul 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 Nikul during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Nikul
The name Nikul is of Sanskrit origin and has its roots in ancient Indian culture. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "nikula," which means "noble" or "excellent." The name is believed to have originated during the Vedic period, which dates back to around 1500-500 BCE.
In Hindu mythology, Nikul is mentioned as the name of a sage or rishi who was known for his wisdom and spiritual knowledge. This association with a revered figure in ancient Indian texts likely contributed to the name's popularity and positive connotations.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nikul can be found in the Mahabharata, an ancient Sanskrit epic poem that is considered one of the most important literary works in Indian history. In the Mahabharata, Nikul is mentioned as the name of a warrior who fought alongside the Pandava princes.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nikul. One such figure was Nikul Brahma (1857-1938), an Indian social reformer and writer who played a significant role in promoting education and advocating for the rights of the underprivileged in Bengal.
Another prominent individual with the name Nikul was Nikul Sanyal (1924-2004), an Indian classical musician and composer who made significant contributions to the world of Hindustani classical music. He was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 1976.
In the field of literature, Nikul Chandra Das (1881-1942) was a renowned Bengali novelist and short story writer. His works explored themes of rural life, social issues, and the struggles of the common people in Bengal.
Nikul Rastonogi (1923-2009) was an Indian film director and screenwriter who worked in both Hindi and Bengali cinema. He is best known for his critically acclaimed films such as "Akriti" and "Anutap," which explored social and philosophical themes.
Nikul Chakraborty (1923-2005) was an Indian politician and member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He served as a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and played a significant role in the political landscape of the state.
These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals who have borne the name Nikul throughout history, spanning fields such as social reform, arts, literature, and politics.
People
Nikul + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Nikul 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
Nikul: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Nikul?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Nikul 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 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Nikul a common name?
We classify Nikul as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Nikul most popular?
The single biggest year for Nikul was 1988, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Nikul is about 37 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 Nikul in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Nikul a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Nikul in the SSA data are male. 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 Nikul still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Nikul 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 Nikul 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 Nikul as a first name?
For a quick modern take, check how many people have the name Nikul on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.