UK girl's name
Nelisa
A feminine name of African origin meaning "one who comforts others".
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.
Nelisa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nelisa 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 2023, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2023 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.
Nelisa is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Nelisa. 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
- • Nelisa ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 3 girls were registered as Nelisa.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nelisa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2023
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Nelisa mean?
The name Nelisa has its origins in the Xhosa language, which is spoken by the Xhosa people of South Africa. The name is derived from the Xhosa word "nelisa," which means "to give comfort or consolation." It is believed to have been in use among the Xhosa people as early as the 16th century.
The name Nelisa was not widely known outside of the Xhosa community until the late 19th century, when it began to appear in written records and documents from the region. One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name can be found in the writings of the British missionary, Robert Moffat, who worked among the Xhosa people in the 1820s.
While the name Nelisa does not appear to have any direct references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Nelisa Qamata (1865-1950), a Xhosa chieftain and leader who played a significant role in the resistance against British colonial rule in the late 19th century.
Another notable figure with the name Nelisa was Nelisa Mfiki (1910-1980), a South African writer and activist who campaigned for women's rights and education. She was one of the first Xhosa women to publish a novel in her native language.
In the realm of sports, Nelisa Ntsiki (born 1982) is a South African athlete who has represented her country in various international competitions, including the Olympic Games. She is a multiple-time national champion in the long jump and triple jump events.
Nelisa Maqungo (born 1986) is a South African actress and television personality, best known for her roles in several popular South African television series, such as "Generations" and "Isibaya."
Nelisa Mqulwana (born 1990) is a South African academic and researcher who has made significant contributions to the field of environmental science and sustainable development. She has published numerous research papers and has been recognized with several awards for her work.
While the name Nelisa has its roots in the Xhosa culture, it has gained popularity in other parts of South Africa and beyond, transcending its cultural origins and becoming a name embraced by people from various backgrounds.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Nelisa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nelisa 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 | #5687 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nelisa
- 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
Nelisa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nelisa in the UK right now?
In 2023, Nelisa was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nelisa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 3 babies registered as Nelisa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nelisa?
A feminine name of African origin meaning "one who comforts others".
How many people are called Nelisa in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Nelisa across the 1 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.