Nels

Boy name

Nels has been given to 3,841 babies in the U.S. since 1880. It peaked in 1918.

Popularity over time births per year, 1880–2025

Hover or tap the chart to read any year.

Total babies

3,841

Peak year

1918 (65 babies)

Rank in 2025

Below top 1000

First recorded

1880

10-year trend

▲ +57%

Gender split

All boys

Spellings & variants

Names one letter away from Nels — alternate spellings parents actually use.

Nellgirl

27,710 babies since 1880

Nilsboy

3,083 babies since 1888

Names with a similar vibe

Same primary gender, peaked around the same years, and roughly as common as Nels.

Judgeboy

3,826 babies since 1880

Gaetanoboy

3,861 babies since 1904

Hobartboy

3,806 babies since 1885

Howellboy

3,923 babies since 1880

Llewellynboy

3,755 babies since 1880

Florianboy

3,746 babies since 1886

Tillmanboy

3,739 babies since 1880

Dillardboy

3,730 babies since 1880

FAQ

How popular is the name Nels?

Nels has been given to 3,841 babies in the U.S. since 1880. It ranked below the top 1000 in 2025.

When did the name Nels peak?

Nels peaked in 1918, when 65 babies were given the name.

Is Nels a girl or boy name?

Nels is primarily a boy name (100% of babies named Nels are boys).

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