Neelam: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among girls

Babies in 2025

named Neelam

How common

–

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1990

27 babies

All-time total

316

#15,480 all-time among girls

First recorded

1971

in Social Security records

Neelam popularity over time

316 babies have been named Neelam since 1971, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	37	4	–	#6,084
1980s	74	7	+100%	#4,994
1990s	141	14	+91%	#3,875
2000s	27	3	-81%	#9,896
2010s	26	3	-4%	#10,505
2020s (to 2025)	11	2	-29%	#14,665

The story of Neelam

Neelam is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1971, 316 American babies have been named Neelam. Its peak came in 1990, when 27 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1990s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Neelam stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Neelam?

The median living Neelam is about 33 years old; half are between 27 and 39. An estimated 300 people named Neelam are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Neelam year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	6	#14,665
2022	–	–
2021	5	#16,982
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	10	#10,505
2016	–	–
2015	5	#18,367
2014	–	–
2013	6	#15,988
2012	–	–
2011	5	#18,777
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	5	#18,391
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	6	#14,892
2001	10	#9,896
2000	6	#14,487
1995	13	#6,917
1990	27	#3,875
1985	5	#11,892
1980	7	#8,764
1975	5	#10,076
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Neelam

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Neelam Sanjiva Reddy President of India from 1977 to 1982 1913–1996 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Neelam, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Neelam?

The median living Neelam is about 33 years old. Half of all living Neelams are between 27 and 39 years old.

How many people named Neelam are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Neelam are alive in the United States, based on 316 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Neelam mean?

Neelam or Neelum is a given name, taken from the Sanskrit word for sapphire.

How popular is the name Neelam in 2025?

Neelam did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Neelam?

316 babies have been named Neelam in the United States since 1971, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Neelam most popular?

Neelam peaked in 1990, when 27 newborns received the name.

Is Neelam a boy or girl name?

Neelam is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Neelam rising or falling?

Neelam is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Neelam?

Well-known people named Neelam include Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (politician).

Names like Neelam

Names that sound and feel close to Neelam: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Neelam with similar names → More names starting with N →