Nile first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Nile has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Nile

A feminine name representing the Nile River, one of the world's longest rivers.

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 2024, there were 81 male babies and 10 female babies born with the name Nile.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20248110
2023917
202210916
202112930
20208610
20197410
20187515
20175814
20168113
20155616
20147215
20134913
2012667
2011519
2010650
2009438
2008487
20075314
2006487
20054510
20042817
2003478
2002447
20015411
20004410
1999517
19985010
19975011
1996500
1995566
1994479
1993485
1992450
1991316
1990286
1989300
1988237
1987240
1986190
1985180
1984230
1983150
1982116
1981230
1980260
1979220
197850
1977120
1976150
1975145

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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