UK girl's name
Nayeli
An Indigenous Mexican name meaning "that which is yearned for".
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.
Nayeli is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nayeli popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3318, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 10 births.
This profile covers 69 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 2008 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 70% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 69 living people in the UK are called Nayeli. 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
- • Nayeli ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 10 girls were registered as Nayeli.
- • About 69 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nayeli as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3318
2024
Births in 2024
7
Latest year
Peak year
2021
10 births
Estimated living
69
2026
Meaning
What does Nayeli mean?
The name Nayeli finds its origins in the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztec people of ancient Mexico. It is derived from the Nahuatl words "nā-yeli," which translate to "I love." This suggests that the name Nayeli may have been given to express parental love and affection for a newborn child.
The Nahuatl language was prevalent in central Mexico during the pre-Columbian era, and it continues to be spoken by various indigenous communities in Mexico today. The name Nayeli likely emerged among these Nahuatl-speaking groups, although the exact time period of its origin is uncertain.
While there are no known ancient texts or religious scriptures that explicitly mention the name Nayeli, its Nahuatl roots suggest a connection to the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Aztec civilization.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nayeli can be found in the writings of Fray Bernardino de Sahagún, a Spanish Franciscan missionary who lived in Mexico during the 16th century. In his work "Historia General de las Cosas de Nueva España," Sahagún documented various aspects of Aztec culture, including names and their meanings.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nayeli. Nayeli Sarmiento (1948-2019) was a Mexican actress and singer who appeared in numerous telenovelas and films. Nayeli Rangel (born 1984) is a Mexican model and television host known for her work on various reality shows.
Nayeli Judith Vega Valero (born 1990) is a Mexican lawyer and politician who has served as a federal deputy in the Congress of Mexico. Nayeli Portillo (born 1987) is a Mexican professional boxer who has won several titles in the lightweight division.
Nayeli Ramos (born 1993) is a Honduran-American actress and model, best known for her roles in television series like "Jane the Virgin" and "Dynasty."
It is worth noting that while the name Nayeli has its roots in the Nahuatl language and Aztec culture, it has gained popularity beyond its place of origin and is now used in various Latin American countries and among Hispanic communities worldwide.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nayeli over time
The chart below shows babies named Nayeli registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 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 Nayeli, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nayeli by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nayeli 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 | #2981 | 32 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4996 | 31 | 8 |
| 2000s | #5551 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Nayeli
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nayeli: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nayeli in the UK right now?
In 2024, Nayeli was ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Nayeli most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 10 babies registered as Nayeli in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nayeli?
An Indigenous Mexican name meaning "that which is yearned for".
How many people are called Nayeli in the UK?
A total of 69 babies have been registered as Nayeli across the 14 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.