Nichelle: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#11,639

among girls · ↓770 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Nichelle

How common

1 in 200,908

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1968

395 babies

All-time total

5,548

#2,404 all-time among girls

First recorded

1961

in Social Security records

Nichelle popularity over time

5,548 babies have been named Nichelle since 1961, 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

GirlsBoys

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	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1960s	1,197	–	1,197	120	–	#486
1970s	1,226	–	1,226	123	+2%	#727
1980s	1,277	5	1,282	128	+5%	#1,005
1990s	1,196	–	1,196	120	-7%	#1,033
2000s	423	–	423	42	-65%	#2,402
2010s	166	–	166	17	-61%	#5,917
2020s (to 2025)	58	–	58	10	-42%	#7,543

The story of Nichelle

Nichelle is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #11,639 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1961, 5,548 American babies have been named Nichelle. Its peak came in 1968, when 395 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1960s.

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

How old are people named Nichelle?

The median living Nichelle is about 42 years old; half are between 33 and 54. An estimated 5,300 people named Nichelle 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.

Nichelle year by year

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

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	8	#11,639	–	–
2024	9	#10,869	–	–
2023	6	#14,679	–	–
2022	15	#7,543	–	–
2021	9	#10,892	–	–
2020	11	#9,375	–	–
2019	13	#8,479	–	–
2018	13	#8,480	–	–
2017	16	#7,338	–	–
2016	16	#7,511	–	–
2015	19	#6,649	–	–
2014	14	#8,379	–	–
2013	18	#6,944	–	–
2012	17	#7,377	–	–
2011	17	#7,340	–	–
2010	23	#5,917	–	–
2009	35	#4,347	–	–
2008	35	#4,426	–	–
2007	31	#4,773	–	–
2006	34	#4,335	–	–
2005	40	#3,709	–	–
2004	39	#3,728	–	–
2003	47	#3,169	–	–
2002	39	#3,510	–	–
2001	66	#2,402	–	–
2000	57	#2,626	–	–
1995	116	#1,416	–	–
1990	157	#1,117	–	–
1985	152	#1,005	–	–
1980	135	#1,057	–	–
1975	117	#1,031	–	–
1970	205	#727	–	–
1965	14	#3,501	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Nichelle

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

1 Nichelle Nichols American actress (1932–2022) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Nichelle?

The median living Nichelle is about 42 years old. Half of all living Nichelles are between 33 and 54 years old.

How many people named Nichelle are alive today?

An estimated 5,300 people named Nichelle are alive in the United States, based on 5,548 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Nichelle in 2025?

Nichelle ranked #11,639 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Nichelle?

5,548 babies have been named Nichelle in the United States since 1961, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Nichelle most popular?

Nichelle peaked in 1968, when 395 newborns received the name.

Is Nichelle a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Nichelle rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Nichelle?

Well-known people named Nichelle include Nichelle Nichols (actor).

Names like Nichelle

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

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