NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Neli

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a diminutive form of Cornelia.

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.

Neli is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Neli popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3015, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 13 births.

This profile covers 103 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 2009 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 62% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 103 living people in the UK are called Neli. 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

  • Neli ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2021, when 13 girls were registered as Neli.
  • About 103 living people in the UK are estimated to have Neli as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3015

2024

Births in 2024

8

Latest year

Peak year

2021

13 births

Estimated living

103

2026

Meaning

What does Neli mean?

The name Neli is of Slavic origin and is believed to have its roots in the Bulgarian language. It is derived from the Bulgarian word "nel," which means "tender" or "gentle." The name Neli has been in use for centuries in various Slavic countries, particularly in Bulgaria and the surrounding regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Neli can be traced back to the 9th century, when it was mentioned in ancient Slavic texts and chronicles. During this time, the name was primarily associated with the Bulgarian nobility and aristocracy, and it was often given to girls from prominent families.

Throughout history, the name Neli has appeared in various literary works and religious texts. In the 14th century, a Bulgarian manuscript known as the "Neli Codex" was written, which contained various religious texts and hymns. This codex is considered an important part of the Bulgarian literary heritage and is a testament to the longstanding use of the name.

Among the notable historical figures who bore the name Neli, one can mention Neli Kordova (1872-1944), a Bulgarian actress and playwright who made significant contributions to the development of Bulgarian theater in the early 20th century. Another prominent figure was Neli Ranghelova (1916-2000), a Bulgarian painter and artist whose works are celebrated for their vibrant colors and depictions of Bulgarian folk life.

In the realm of literature, Neli Dobreva (1915-2000) was a renowned Bulgarian writer and poet, known for her lyrical works that explored themes of love, nature, and the human experience. Her poetry collections, such as "Singing Stones" and "Echoes of Eternity," have left a lasting impact on Bulgarian literature.

It is also worth mentioning Neli Vasileva (1925-2005), a Bulgarian soprano and opera singer who gained international acclaim for her performances in various opera houses around the world. Her rich and powerful voice earned her numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.

Another notable figure was Neli Krasteva (1949-2005), a Bulgarian volleyball player who represented her country in multiple international competitions, including the Olympics. She was a key member of the Bulgarian national team that won numerous medals and championships during her playing career.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Neli, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich cultural heritage of their respective countries and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Neli over time

The chart below shows babies named Neli registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 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 Neli, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 13 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Neli
0371013200920162024

Decades

Neli by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Neli 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 #2771 46 5
2010s #4081 54 9
2000s #5556 3 1

Related

Names similar to Neli

FAQ

Neli: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Neli was ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.

When was Neli most popular?

The peak year on record was 2021, with 13 babies registered as Neli in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Neli?

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a diminutive form of Cornelia.

How many people are called Neli in the UK?

A total of 103 babies have been registered as Neli across the 15 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.