NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Nabil

Of Arabic origin, it means capable, intelligent or generous.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Nabil is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Nabil popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1402, with 19 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 41 births.

This profile covers 737 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 46% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 731 living people in the UK are called Nabil. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Nabil ranked #1402 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 19 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2004, when 41 boys were registered as Nabil.
  • About 731 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nabil as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1402

2024

Births in 2024

19

Latest year

Peak year

2004

41 births

Estimated living

731

2026

Meaning

What does Nabil mean?

Nabil is a masculine given name derived from the Arabic word "nabil," which means "noble" or "exalted." The name has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, and it has been in use for centuries across various parts of the Middle East and North Africa.

The earliest recorded use of the name Nabil can be traced back to the 7th century AD, during the time of the Islamic Golden Age. It was a popular name among Arab scholars, poets, and intellectuals of that era, reflecting the value placed on nobility, wisdom, and knowledge in Arab culture.

One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Nabil was Nabil ibn al-Nadim (c. 938-995 AD), a renowned Arab bibliographer and scholar from Baghdad. His seminal work, the "Kitab al-Fihrist," is considered one of the most important bibliographic works in Arabic literature, cataloging thousands of books and manuscripts from various fields.

Another notable figure in history with the name Nabil was Nabil al-Alawi (1677-1730), a prominent Sufi mystic and poet from Yemen. His poetic works, infused with spiritual themes and mystical imagery, have been widely studied and admired within the Sufi tradition.

In the modern era, one of the most famous individuals bearing the name Nabil was Nabil Shaban (1956-2020), a British actor of Palestinian descent. He is best known for his roles in films such as "Aladdin" and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," as well as his voice work in various animated series.

Nabil Ayouch (born 1969) is a Moroccan film director and screenwriter who has gained international recognition for his films that explore social and cultural issues in contemporary Morocco. His award-winning films include "Ali Zaoua" and "Much Loved."

Nabil Fekir (born 1993) is a professional footballer from France who plays as an attacking midfielder for La Liga club Real Betis. He has also represented the French national team and was part of their squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

While the name Nabil has been predominantly used in Arab and Islamic cultures, its meaning and significance have resonated across different regions and communities, making it a popular choice for parents seeking a name that evokes nobility, excellence, and high moral character.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nabil over time

The chart below shows babies named Nabil registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Nabil, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 19 births in 2024, compared with 41 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Nabil
010213141199620102024

Decades

Nabil by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nabil was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #1525 83 5
2010s #1197 226 10
2000s #710 333 10
1990s #717 95 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Nabil

  • Nabil Abdul Rashid

    comedian; television producer; stand-up comedian

    English comedian

    1987-

  • Nabil Elouahabi

    actor; television actor; film actor

    British actor

    1975-

  • Nabil Al Busaidi

    explorer; ocean rower

    Omani explorer

    1970-

  • Nabil Shaban

    actor; writer; documentary filmmaker; television actor

    British actor

    1953-2025

Related

Names similar to Nabil

FAQ

Nabil: questions and answers

How popular is the name Nabil in the UK right now?

In 2024, Nabil was ranked #1402 for boys in England and Wales, with 19 births registered.

When was Nabil most popular?

The peak year on record was 2004, with 41 babies registered as Nabil in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nabil?

Of Arabic origin, it means capable, intelligent or generous.

How many people are called Nabil in the UK?

A total of 737 babies have been registered as Nabil across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.