Neli: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	10	1	–	#10,082
1980s	27	3	+170%	#8,682
1990s	79	8	+193%	#7,959
2000s	106	11	+34%	#8,416
2010s	39	4	-63%	#10,214
2020s (to 2025)	58	10	+148%	#7,542

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

1960s

–

1970s

–

#10,082

1980s

+170%

#8,682

1990s

+193%

#7,959

2000s

106

+34%

#8,416

2010s

-63%

#10,214

2020s (to 2025)

+148%

#7,542

The story of Neli

Neli is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #14,436 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1975, 319 American babies have been named Neli. Its peak came in 2007, when 15 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

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 Neli stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Neli?

The median living Neli is about 21 years old; half are between 12 and 29. An estimated 300 people named Neli 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.

Neli year by year

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

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	6	#14,436
2024	12	#8,808
2023	7	#13,077
2022	15	#7,542
2021	8	#11,888
2020	10	#10,070
2019	7	#13,404
2018	–	–
2017	5	#17,708
2016	5	#18,101
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	5	#18,510
2012	–	–
2011	11	#10,214
2010	6	#16,394
2009	8	#13,348
2008	12	#9,914
2007	15	#8,416
2006	13	#9,125
2005	8	#12,693
2004	8	#12,423
2003	12	#8,910
2002	11	#9,306
2001	10	#9,897
2000	9	#10,493
1995	10	#8,538
1990	5	#14,517
1985	–	–
1980	6	#9,950
1975	5	#10,082
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Neli?

The median living Neli is about 21 years old. Half of all living Nelis are between 12 and 29 years old.

How many people named Neli are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Neli are alive in the United States, based on 319 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Neli mean?

Spelling variant of Nelly.

How popular is the name Neli in 2025?

Neli ranked #14,436 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Neli?

319 babies have been named Neli in the United States since 1975, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Neli most popular?

Neli peaked in 2007, when 15 newborns received the name.

Is Neli a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Neli rising or falling?

Neli is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Neli

Neli popularity over time

The story of Neli

How old are people named Neli?

Neli year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Neli