Find out how popular the first name Nilan has been for the last 18 years (from 2006 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nilan by gender

Based on the last 18 years of data, Nilan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 55 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nilan.

The history of the first name Nilan

The name Nilan finds its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that served as the root for many modern Indian languages. Derived from the Sanskrit word "nila," meaning "blue," the name Nilan is a masculine given name that has been in use for centuries across the Indian subcontinent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nilan can be found in the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata, where it is mentioned as the name of a character. This epic, composed between the 8th and 9th centuries BCE, is a significant literary work that has shaped Indian culture and mythology.

In the 12th century, the name Nilan gained prominence with the birth of Nilan Pandita, a celebrated Sanskrit scholar and poet from Kashmir. His works, including the Vigrahavyavartani and Kavikamadhenu, were highly influential in the literary circles of his time.

During the Mughal era, which spanned from the 16th to the 19th century, the name Nilan was borne by several notable figures. One such individual was Nilan Chand, a prominent courtier and advisor to the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who lived from 1542 to 1605.

In the realm of Indian classical music, the name Nilan is associated with the renowned musician and composer Nilan Ghosh, who lived from 1914 to 1986. He was a pioneer in the field of Bengali music and is remembered for his contributions to the development of the Rabindra Sangeet genre.

Another significant bearer of the name Nilan was Nilan Purkayastha, an Indian social worker and activist who dedicated his life to the empowerment of underprivileged communities. He was born in 1916 and passed away in 2003, leaving behind a lasting legacy of social reform.

Over the centuries, the name Nilan has transcended cultural boundaries and has been adopted by various communities across the Indian subcontinent, each adding their unique cultural and linguistic nuances to its pronunciation and spelling.

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

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

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