Nijel
Every Nijel since 1987 — 338 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nijel
Nijel 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 1987, 338 American babies have been named Nijel. Its peak came in 2000, when 20 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 Nijel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nijel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 6 | #11,883 |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 7 | #10,280 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13,556 |
| 2018 | 10 | #7,997 |
| 2017 | 5 | #13,683 |
| 2016 | 7 | #10,413 |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 8 | #9,377 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 9 | #8,674 |
| 2011 | 10 | #7,917 |
| 2010 | 9 | #8,596 |
| 2009 | 10 | #8,125 |
| 2008 | 14 | #6,308 |
| 2007 | 18 | #5,150 |
| 2006 | 13 | #6,360 |
| 2005 | 11 | #6,978 |
| 2004 | 14 | #5,708 |
| 2003 | 10 | #7,091 |
| 2002 | 13 | #5,635 |
| 2001 | 15 | #5,070 |
| 2000 | 20 | #4,024 |
| 1995 | 12 | #5,029 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5,689 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Nijel
- Nijel Amos Athlete · b. 1994
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nijel in 2025?
Nijel 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 Nijel?
338 babies have been named Nijel in the United States since 1987, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nijel most popular?
Nijel peaked in 2000, when 20 newborns received the name.
Is Nijel a boy or girl name?
Nijel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nijel rising or falling?
Nijel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Nijel?
Well-known people named Nijel include Nijel Amos (athlete).