NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Nero

A masculine name of Latin origin meaning "black" or "stern".

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.

Nero is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Nero popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4107, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 12 births.

This profile covers 85 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 2005 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 85 living people in the UK are called Nero. 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

  • Nero ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 12 boys were registered as Nero.
  • About 85 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nero as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4107

2023

Births in 2023

4

Latest year

Peak year

2022

12 births

Estimated living

85

2026

Meaning

What does Nero mean?

The given name Nero has its origins in the Latin language. It is derived from the root word "niger," which means "black" or "dark." The name likely refers to someone with a darker complexion or hair color. It first emerged in ancient Rome during the Roman Empire, roughly from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD.

One of the most notable historical references to the name Nero comes from the infamous Roman emperor Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, who ruled from 54 to 68 AD. He is known for his tyrannical rule, extravagance, and the legend that he played the lyre while Rome burned during the Great Fire of 64 AD. His reign was marked by political instability, and he is often portrayed as a cruel and corrupt ruler.

The earliest recorded example of the name Nero dates back to the 1st century AD, with the Roman emperor mentioned above. Other famous individuals with the name Nero throughout history include Nero Wolfe, the fictional detective created by American novelist Rex Stout in the 1930s. Stout's character Nero Wolfe appeared in numerous novels and short stories from 1934 to 1975.

Another notable figure was Nero Claudius Drusus (38 BC - 9 BC), a Roman military leader and stepson of Emperor Augustus. He played a crucial role in the Roman conquest of Germania and was considered a skilled commander.

In the realm of music, Nero was the stage name of the American rapper and singer Aqile Davids (born 1983), known for his collaborations with electronic music producers like Skrillex and Alesso.

Lastly, Nero Claudius Germanicus (15 BC - 19 AD) was a Roman military leader and the father of the infamous Emperor Caligula. He was a highly respected general and played a significant role in the expansion of the Roman Empire during his lifetime.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nero over time

The chart below shows babies named Nero registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 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 Nero, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 12 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Nero
036912200520142023

Decades

Nero by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nero 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 #2698 33 4
2010s #3833 42 9
2000s #3830 10 3

Related

Names similar to Nero

FAQ

Nero: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Nero was ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Nero most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 12 babies registered as Nero in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nero?

A masculine name of Latin origin meaning "black" or "stern".

How many people are called Nero in the UK?

A total of 85 babies have been registered as Nero 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.