Nelva
Every Nelva since 1889 — 1,139 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nelva
Nelva 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 1889, 1,139 American babies have been named Nelva. Its peak came in 1935, when 44 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
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 Nelva stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nelva 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 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 5 | #7,221 |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,544 |
| 1955 | 10 | #3,978 |
| 1950 | 12 | #3,177 |
| 1945 | 14 | #2,418 |
| 1940 | 37 | #1,213 |
| 1935 | 44 | #1,050 |
| 1930 | 34 | #1,312 |
| 1925 | 29 | #1,567 |
| 1920 | 14 | #2,554 |
| 1915 | 18 | #1,862 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nelva in 2025?
Nelva 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 Nelva?
1,139 babies have been named Nelva in the United States since 1889, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nelva most popular?
Nelva peaked in 1935, when 44 newborns received the name.
Is Nelva a boy or girl name?
Nelva is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nelva rising or falling?
Nelva has been roughly stable over the past decade.