UK name, mostly girls
Nil
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "the blue one".
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.
Nil is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Nil popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 5 births.
This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2021 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Nil. 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
- • Nil ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 5 girls were registered as Nil.
- • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nil as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 85.0% of Nil registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2021
5 births
Estimated living
17
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Nil
In England and Wales birth records, Nil has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 15.0% of registrations are for boys and 85.0% 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.
Nil registered for boys
- Ranked #4,789 in 2022
- 3 boys registered in 2022
- Peak: 2022 (3 births)
Nil registered for girls
- Ranked #4,843 in 2024
- 4 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2021 (5 births)
Meaning
What does Nil mean?
The name Nil originates from the Sanskrit word "nila," which means "blue" or "dark blue." It is believed to have first appeared in ancient Indian texts and scriptures, such as the Vedas and Puranas, around the 2nd millennium BCE.
In Hinduism, Nil is associated with the color blue, which is considered a sacred and spiritual hue. It is often linked to Lord Krishna, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism, who is depicted with blue-hued skin. The name Nil may have been used to describe individuals with a dark complexion or those who had a deep connection with the divine.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nil can be found in the epic Sanskrit poem, the Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In the text, Nil is mentioned as the name of a warrior who fought alongside the Pandava princes during the great Kurukshetra war.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nil. One such person was Nil Kamal Bhattacharya (1900-1973), a renowned Bengali writer and poet from India. He was known for his contributions to modern Bengali literature and was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, in 1973.
Another prominent figure with the name Nil was Nil Ratan Sarkar (1892-1981), an Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. He was a close associate of Subhas Chandra Bose and was imprisoned multiple times for his participation in the struggle for India's freedom.
In the field of science, Nil Ratan Dhar (1892-1986) was an eminent Indian chemist and academic. He made significant contributions to the study of organic chemistry and held prestigious positions, including serving as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta from 1953 to 1957.
Nil Moné (born 1985) is a contemporary American singer, songwriter, and record producer. She is known for her unique blend of soul, R&B, and electronic music, and has collaborated with various artists, including Erykah Badu and Robert Glasper.
Lastly, Nil Battey Sannata (2016) is the title of a critically acclaimed Hindi film directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. The film's title, which translates to "A Thin Deal," revolves around the story of a single mother and her aspirations for her daughter's education, highlighting the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nil over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Nil in England and Wales, from 2021 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 Nil, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nil by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nil 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 | #4615 | 17 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Nil
- 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
Nil: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nil in the UK right now?
In 2024, Nil was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Nil most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 5 babies registered as Nil in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nil?
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "the blue one".
How many people are called Nil in the UK?
A total of 17 babies have been registered as Nil across the 4 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.