NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Nihaal

Originating from Arabic, a name meaning happiness, joy, or bliss.

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.

Nihaal is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Nihaal popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1322, with 20 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 20 births.

This profile covers 200 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 2001 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.

Nihaal is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 199 living people in the UK are called Nihaal. 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

  • Nihaal ranked #1322 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 20 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 20 boys were registered as Nihaal.
  • About 199 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nihaal as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 95.7% of Nihaal registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1322

2024

Births in 2024

20

Latest year

Peak year

2024

20 births

Estimated living

199

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Nihaal

In England and Wales birth records, Nihaal has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 95.7% of registrations are for boys and 4.3% 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.

96% boys
Boys200 (95.7%)Girls9 (4.3%)

Nihaal registered for boys

  • Ranked #1,322 in 2024
  • 20 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (20 births)

Nihaal registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,785 in 2016
  • 3 girls registered in 2016
  • Peak: 2011 (3 births)

Meaning

What does Nihaal mean?

The name Nihaal has its origins in the Persian language, with roots dating back to the ancient Iranian civilizations of the Middle East. It is derived from the Persian word "nihaal," which means "sapling" or "young plant," symbolizing growth, freshness, and vitality.

In the Persian culture, the name Nihaal was often given to newborn children as a way to wish them a prosperous and flourishing life. The name's association with nature and new beginnings made it a popular choice among families seeking to bestow blessings upon their offspring.

While the name Nihaal does not appear prominently in ancient religious texts or historical records, its linguistic roots can be traced back to the Old Persian language, which was spoken in the Achaemenid Empire from the 6th to 4th centuries BCE. Over time, the name evolved and gained popularity across various regions influenced by Persian culture, including parts of Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Nihaal was a 12th-century Persian poet and scholar, Nihaal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273). He was a renowned Sufi mystic and the author of the celebrated work "Masnavi," a poetic collection exploring themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition.

Another notable figure was Nihaal Khan (1711-1782), a military commander and nobleman who served under the Mughal Empire in India. He played a significant role in the wars against the Maratha Empire and was known for his strategic prowess on the battlefield.

In the 19th century, Nihaal Singh (1820-1849) was a prominent Sikh warrior and leader who fought against the British East India Company during the Anglo-Sikh Wars. His acts of bravery and resistance have been celebrated in Sikh folklore and literature.

More recently, Nihaal Faizal (born 1983) is a contemporary Indian writer and poet known for his works exploring themes of identity, belonging, and cultural diversity. His poetry collections, such as "Gair: Exploring the Detritus of an Inherited Voice," have garnered critical acclaim.

Nihaal Dravid (born 1984) is an Indian actor and model who has appeared in various Bollywood films and television shows. He has also been actively involved in social and environmental causes, using his platform to raise awareness about various issues.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Nihaal, each contributing to their respective fields and leaving their mark on the cultural and historical landscape.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nihaal over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Nihaal in England and Wales, from 2001 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 Nihaal, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 20 births in 2024, compared with 20 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
05101520200120122024

Decades

Nihaal by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nihaal 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 #2181 55 5
2010s #2361 95 10
2000s #2421 50 7

Related

Names similar to Nihaal

FAQ

Nihaal: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Nihaal was ranked #1322 for boys in England and Wales, with 20 births registered.

When was Nihaal most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 20 babies registered as Nihaal in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nihaal?

Originating from Arabic, a name meaning happiness, joy, or bliss.

How many people are called Nihaal in the UK?

A total of 200 babies have been registered as Nihaal across the 22 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.