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

Popularity of Nile by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Nile is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 87% of people named Nile being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 91 male babies and 7 female babies born with the name Nile.

The history of the first name Nile

The name Nile has its origins in ancient Egyptian culture, deriving from the word "Neilos," which was the Greek name for the famous Nile River that flows through northeastern Africa. The Nile River was revered as a life-giving force in ancient Egyptian civilization, serving as a vital source of water and sustenance for the region's inhabitants.

One of the earliest references to the name Nile can be found in ancient Greek writings, where it was used to refer to the river itself. As the significance of the Nile River grew in the minds of ancient Egyptians and their neighboring civilizations, the name Nile likely gained popularity as a personal name, reflecting the reverence and importance placed on this iconic waterway.

In terms of historical figures bearing the name Nile, one notable individual was Nile Niami (born 1966), a prominent American property developer known for his work on luxury real estate projects in Los Angeles and other parts of California. Another historical figure was Nile Rodgers (born 1952), an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work with the band Chic and his collaborations with various artists.

Moving further back in time, there was Nile Kinnick (1918-1943), an American football player and Heisman Trophy winner who tragically lost his life during World War II while serving as a naval aviator. Nile Albright (1910-2001), an American diplomat and the first female United States Secretary of State, was another prominent individual who bore this name.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nile can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BCE. Herodotus frequently mentioned the Nile River in his accounts of ancient Egyptian civilization, cementing the name's association with this iconic waterway in the historical record.

While the name Nile has its roots in ancient Egyptian and Greek culture, it has since been adopted and used in various parts of the world, carrying with it the symbolism and significance of the mighty Nile River that played such a pivotal role in the development of early civilizations.

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

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

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