Nels
Greek · Boy · 1 syllable
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Nels
Nels is a Scandinavian diminutive of Niels or Nils, derived from the Greek name Nikolaos (Νικόλαος), meaning "victory of the people" from the elements "nike" (victory) and "laos" (people).
This meaning was compiled with AI assistance and is awaiting community review. Know this name well? Help verify or improve it.
Etymology
Nels is a Scandinavian diminutive of Niels or Nils, derived from the Greek name Nikolaos (Νικόλαος), meaning "victory of the people" from the elements "nike" (victory) and "laos" (people). The name is primarily used in Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish cultures, with historical prominence in Scandinavia and among Nordic immigrant communities.
Nels currently ranks #4,656 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1918.
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
Nordic names that sit beautifully beside NelsSimilar names you might like
Names starting with NMore names starting with N
- Nainoa
- Nachmen
- Naadir
- Nadra
- Naioma
- Nadiyah
- Nadolyn
- Naairah
- Nahima
- Nadal
- Nadeane
- Naeemah
- Naail
- Naiel
- Najm
- Naailah
- Naarah
- Nafisah
🧬 See Nels's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Nels's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Nels your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Nels already? Find sibling names that fit →
Names that sound like Nels
Phonetic match, not just spelling"The given name 'Nils' is derived from the Old Norse name 'Níall', which means 'cloud' or 'passionate' and is of…"
"The given name 'Niels' is derived from the Old Norse name 'Niðhjáll', which is composed of 'nið' meaning 'foe' or…"
"Nilesh is a Sanskrit name combining "Nil" (blue) and "Ish" (lord/master), meaning "Lord of the Blue" or "Lord of the…"
"Neilas is a Lithuanian form of the name Neil, derived from the Irish Gaelic "Niall," which means "champion" or "cloud"…"
"Nelsa is a modern feminine name derived from the Scandinavian name Nels (itself a form of Niels/Nicholas), meaning "victory of…"
"The name Niilas is a Sami form of the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning "victory of the people" (from *nike* "victory"…"
"Nollaig means "Christmas" and derives from Irish, combining "nol" (Christmas) with the diminutive suffix "-aig," ultimately tracing to Latin "natalis"…"
"Nilza is a feminine given name derived from the Sanskrit root "nil" meaning "blue" or "dark blue," combined with the…"
"Nayla-Ogechi is a compound name combining Nayla (Arabic origin, meaning "to achieve" or "successful") with Ogechi (Igbo origin, meaning "daughter…"
"Nelcia is a feminine given name derived from the Latin root "nel" or related to Cornelia, ultimately tracing to the…"
"Nilas means "dark" or "black" and derives from Old Norse, coming from the name Níels, which is a Scandinavian form…"
"Naelys is a modern invented name with no established etymological root in historical linguistic sources, though it appears to blend…"