Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1957

Niels

Gender Boy Rank 2025 #6,060
Rank 2025
#6,060
among boys · ↑321 vs 2024
Babies in 2025
15
named Niels
How common
1 in 113,872
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1957
31 babies
All-time total
1,462
#4,021 all-time among boys
First recorded
1893
in Social Security records

Niels popularity over time

1,462 babies have been named Niels since 1893, 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
0.010.030.040.0518801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1893Boys

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 Boys Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – –
1890s 5 1 – #1,141
1900s 5 1 0% #1,368
1910s 79 8 +1480% #1,840
1920s 110 11 +39% #2,011
1930s 86 9 -22% #2,164
1940s 92 9 +7% #2,001
1950s 180 18 +96% #1,426
1960s 156 16 -13% #1,838
1970s 138 14 -12% #2,039
1980s 128 13 -7% #2,747
1990s 132 13 +3% #3,561
2000s 124 12 -6% #3,940
2010s 151 15 +22% #4,721
2020s (to 2025) 76 13 -16% #5,365

The story of Niels

Niels is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,060 in 2025 with 15 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1893, 1,462 American babies have been named Niels. Its peak came in 1957, when 31 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

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

How old are people named Niels?

The median living Niels is about 40 years old; half are between 19 and 60. An estimated 1,100 people named Niels are alive in the United States today.

median 40 020406080100

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

Niels year by year

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

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 15 #6,060
2024 14 #6,381
2023 7 #10,488
2022 18 #5,365
2021 10 #7,989
2020 12 #6,914
2019 14 #6,317
2018 7 #10,425
2017 14 #6,246
2016 21 #4,721
2015 18 #5,217
2014 17 #5,415
2013 14 #6,150
2012 15 #5,906
2011 14 #6,160
2010 17 #5,409
2009 6 #12,042
2008 10 #8,115
2007 14 #6,169
2006 10 #7,842
2005 11 #6,977
2004 11 #6,847
2003 13 #5,785
2002 15 #5,074
2001 21 #3,940
2000 13 #5,496
1995 12 #5,028
1990 17 #3,561
1985 18 #2,794
1980 10 #4,046
1975 13 #3,026
1970 20 #2,039
1965 16 #2,051
1960 6 #3,939
1955 20 #1,768
1950 20 #1,691
1945 8 #2,701
1940 8 #2,804
1935 6 #3,536
1930 13 #2,262
1925 11 #2,700
1920 11 #2,716
1915 14 #2,041
1910 – –
1905 5 #1,368
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Famous people named Niels

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

  1. 1 Niels Bohr Niels Bohr Danish physicist (1885–1962) 19th century
  2. 2 Niels Schneider Niels Schneider Franco-Canadian actor (born 1987) Contemporary
  3. 3 Niels Henrik Abel Niels Henrik Abel Norwegian mathematician (1802–1829) 19th century
  4. 4 Niels Ryberg Finsen Niels Ryberg Finsen Faroese physician and Nobel laureate (1860–1904) 19th century
  5. 5 Niels Arestrup Niels Arestrup French-Danish actor, film director and screenwriter (1949–2024) Contemporary
  6. 6 Niels Arden Oplev Danish film director and screenwriter (born 1961) Contemporary
  7. 7 Niels Gade Niels Gade Danish composer, conductor, and music teacher (1817–1890) 19th century
  8. 8 Niels, King of Denmark Niels, King of Denmark King of Denmark from 1104 to 1134 1065–1134 · Medieval
  9. 9 Niels Neergaard Niels Neergaard Danish historian and political figure (1854-1936) 19th century
  10. 10 Niels Kaj Jerne Niels Kaj Jerne Danish immunologist (1911–1994) Contemporary
  11. 11 Niels Brinck Niels Brinck Danish musician b. 1974 · Contemporary
  12. 12 Niels Fredborg Niels Fredborg Danish cyclist (born 1946) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Niels?

The median living Niels is about 40 years old. Half of all living Nielss are between 19 and 60 years old.

How many people named Niels are alive today?

An estimated 1,100 people named Niels are alive in the United States, based on 1,462 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Niels in 2025?

Niels ranked #6,060 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 15 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Niels?

1,462 babies have been named Niels in the United States since 1893, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Niels most popular?

Niels peaked in 1957, when 31 newborns received the name.

Is Niels a boy or girl name?

Niels is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Niels rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Niels?

Well-known people named Niels include Niels Bohr (physicist), Niels Schneider (actor), Niels Henrik Abel (mathematician).

Names like Niels

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

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