NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Nehal

Origin uncertain, possibly Sanskrit; meaning beautiful, fresh, radiant.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 17 boys.

Nehal is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Nehal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2019, with 7 births.

This profile covers 67 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 2001 to 2023. 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 67 living people in the UK are called Nehal. 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 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Nehal ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2019, when 7 girls were registered as Nehal.
  • Nehal is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 67 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nehal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 79.8% of Nehal registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5687

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

2019

7 births

Estimated living

67

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Nehal

In England and Wales birth records, Nehal has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 20.2% of registrations are for boys and 79.8% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

20% boys
80% girls
Boys17 (20.2%)Girls67 (79.8%)

Nehal registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,775 in 2008
  • 6 boys registered in 2008
  • Peak: 2008 (6 births)

Nehal registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,687 in 2023
  • 3 girls registered in 2023
  • Peak: 2019 (7 births)

Meaning

What does Nehal mean?

The name Nehal is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that has been a prominent part of the Indian subcontinent's cultural and linguistic heritage for thousands of years. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "nihala," which means "mist" or "dew."

In ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, the word "nihala" is often used to symbolize freshness, purity, and the rejuvenating qualities of nature. It is associated with the early morning hours when the dew settles on the grass and flowers, evoking a sense of tranquility and renewal.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Nehal can be traced back to ancient Indian texts and manuscripts dating back to the 5th century BCE. During this time, the name was often given to children born during the monsoon season or in regions known for their lush, verdant landscapes.

One of the earliest notable figures to bear the name Nehal was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 7th century CE. His works, which included poetry and literary critiques, were widely celebrated and contributed to the rich tapestry of Indian literature.

In the 12th century, a Rajput warrior named Nehal Singh was renowned for his bravery and military prowess. He played a significant role in defending the Rajput kingdoms against invading forces and is remembered as a symbol of valor and loyalty.

During the Mughal era in India, which spanned from the 16th to the 19th century, the name Nehal gained popularity among the nobility and aristocracy. One notable figure was Nehal Begum, a princess renowned for her beauty, intelligence, and patronage of the arts.

In more recent times, the name Nehal has been carried by several prominent individuals, including Nehal Karim, a renowned Pakistani artist and sculptor who was born in 1939 and is known for his intricate and thought-provoking works.

Another notable figure is Nehal Chudasama, an Indian cricket player who was born in 1973 and represented the Indian national team in the late 1990s and early 2000s, known for his aggressive batting style and fielding skills.

Nehal Hashmi, a Pakistani politician and lawyer born in 1949, has served as a member of the National Assembly and held various ministerial positions, advocating for human rights and democratic reforms.

Overall, the name Nehal carries a rich cultural heritage rooted in the ancient languages and traditions of the Indian subcontinent, evoking images of freshness, purity, and the rejuvenating power of nature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nehal over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Nehal in England and Wales, from 1997 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Nehal, the clearest high point is 2019. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02579199720102023

Decades

Nehal by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nehal 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 #4963 15 4
2010s #4608 40 9
2000s #4018 12 3

Related

Names similar to Nehal

FAQ

Nehal: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Nehal was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Nehal most popular?

The peak year on record was 2019, with 7 babies registered as Nehal in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nehal?

Origin uncertain, possibly Sanskrit; meaning beautiful, fresh, radiant.

How many people are called Nehal in the UK?

A total of 67 babies have been registered as Nehal across the 16 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.