Nilah
Every Nilah since 1916 — 1,420 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nilah
Nilah is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,757 in 2025 with 40 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1916, 1,420 American babies have been named Nilah. Its peak came in 2012, when 84 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Nilah stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nilah year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 40 | #3,757 |
| 2024 | 30 | #4,636 |
| 2023 | 48 | #3,367 |
| 2022 | 31 | #4,551 |
| 2021 | 46 | #3,426 |
| 2020 | 62 | #2,705 |
| 2019 | 62 | #2,746 |
| 2018 | 60 | #2,833 |
| 2017 | 62 | #2,769 |
| 2016 | 70 | #2,557 |
| 2015 | 71 | #2,546 |
| 2014 | 79 | #2,343 |
| 2013 | 75 | #2,428 |
| 2012 | 84 | #2,259 |
| 2011 | 81 | #2,318 |
| 2010 | 66 | #2,717 |
| 2009 | 58 | #2,990 |
| 2008 | 53 | #3,206 |
| 2007 | 41 | #3,902 |
| 2006 | 32 | #4,549 |
| 2005 | 34 | #4,176 |
| 2004 | 18 | #6,689 |
| 2003 | 20 | #5,982 |
| 2002 | 20 | #5,842 |
| 2001 | 13 | #8,067 |
| 2000 | 14 | #7,465 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,715 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,563 |
| 1920 | 5 | #5,557 |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nilah in 2025?
Nilah ranked #3,757 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 40 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nilah?
1,420 babies have been named Nilah in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nilah most popular?
Nilah peaked in 2012, when 84 newborns received the name.
Is Nilah a boy or girl name?
Nilah is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nilah rising or falling?
Nilah is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.