Nigel Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Nigel has Latin origins, specifically from the name 'Nigellus', meaning 'dark'. Over time, it evolved through various forms before becoming widely used in medieval England. While it is associated with a sense of traditionalism today, it has notable historical significance and remains in use.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Nigel"
Pronunciation
/ˈnaɪdʒəl/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Nigel is derived from the Latin name 'Nigellus', which is a diminutive form of 'niger', meaning 'black' or 'dark'.
Meaning
dark
Language Evolution
Niger, Nigellus, Nigel
Historical Usage
Nigel became popular in England during the Middle Ages, particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Nigelson, Nige, Nigee
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Nigel is perceived as somewhat old-fashioned in many English-speaking countries, though it still retains a certain charm.
Famous People
Nigel Farage, Nigel Hawthorne, Nigel Mansell
📊 Nigel Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Nigel Name Visualizations
✨ Nigel Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 454 peak births in 1994
Geographic Spread
Popular across 35 US states, with strongest presence in Georgia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Nigel" - Complete Guide (3 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Nigel". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 3 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Nigel" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Nigel"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Nigel"
"Nigel" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4956th of 6773 | 25 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1933rd of 7552 | 322 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 854th of 10718 | 1,447 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 586th of 16616 | 4,470 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 715th of 24088 | 4,539 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1489th of 23106 | 1,408 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6965th of 9107 | 17 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 10755th of 19264 | 38 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 16689th of 27321 | 30 |
Regional Popularity of "Nigel" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
46.38% 1127th/2430 |
- |
47.24% 1311th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
31.49% 925th/2937 |
18.37% 640th/3483 |
28.23% 993rd/3518 |
22.08% 893rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
17.56% 647th/3685 |
9.12% 408th/4475 |
11.42% 593rd/5194 |
10.73% 678th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
18.51% 848th/4582 |
11.75% 607th/5164 |
8.67% 634th/7313 |
12.85% 959th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
39.33% 1567th/3984 |
31.74% 1424th/4487 |
18.47% 1260th/6822 |
32.44% 2036th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Nigel" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Nigel"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Nigel" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Nigel" in the United States
The name Nigel is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Nigel has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Nigel' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4956th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1933rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 854th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 586th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 715th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1489th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6965th out of 9107 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10755th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16689th out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Nigel' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.