Nely: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#14,438

among girls · ↑350 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Nely

How common

1 in 267,878

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1992

31 babies

All-time total

603

#10,529 all-time among girls

First recorded

1973

in Social Security records

Nely popularity over time

603 babies have been named Nely since 1973, 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	14	1	–	#7,119
1980s	84	8	+500%	#5,518
1990s	196	20	+133%	#3,556
2000s	206	21	+5%	#4,173
2010s	68	7	-67%	#8,106
2020s (to 2025)	35	6	-14%	#10,985

The story of Nely

Nely is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #14,438 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1973, 603 American babies have been named Nely. Its peak came in 1992, when 31 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 Nely stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Nely?

The median living Nely is about 24 years old; half are between 18 and 33. An estimated 600 people named Nely 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.

Nely 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	#14,438
2024	6	#14,788
2023	7	#13,079
2022	9	#10,985
2021	–	–
2020	7	#13,096
2019	5	#17,302
2018	–	–
2017	5	#17,711
2016	11	#9,911
2015	6	#15,880
2014	6	#15,989
2013	–	–
2012	15	#8,106
2011	10	#10,964
2010	10	#11,025
2009	17	#7,595
2008	20	#6,744
2007	25	#5,651
2006	18	#7,068
2005	19	#6,472
2004	21	#5,910
2003	26	#4,905
2002	22	#5,404
2001	30	#4,173
2000	8	#11,496
1995	13	#6,919
1990	14	#6,362
1985	9	#7,370
1980	6	#9,952
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Nely

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

1 Nely Carla Alberto Spanish handball player (born 1983) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Nely?

The median living Nely is about 24 years old. Half of all living Nelys are between 18 and 33 years old.

How many people named Nely are alive today?

An estimated 600 people named Nely are alive in the United States, based on 603 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Nely mean?

Spelling variant of Nelly.

How popular is the name Nely in 2025?

Nely ranked #14,438 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 Nely?

603 babies have been named Nely in the United States since 1973, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Nely most popular?

Nely peaked in 1992, when 31 newborns received the name.

Is Nely a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Nely rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Nely?

Well-known people named Nely include Nely Carla Alberto (handball player).

Names like Nely

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

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