Niels Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Niels has Danish roots, derived from the Old Norse 'Njáll', which means 'victory of the people'. It evolved through various forms over time, including Nicolás and Nikolaus. The name reflects strong traits such as reliability and tradition, although it has no biblical relevance. Niels gained prominence in Scandinavia during the Middle Ages and remains a classic name today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Niels"
Pronunciation
/niːlz/
Origin
Danish
Etymology
Niels is derived from the Old Norse name 'Njáll', which is a diminutive form of the name 'Nikolaus', meaning 'victory of the people'.
Meaning
victory of the people
Language Evolution
Njáll (Old Norse), Nicolás (Old French), Nikolaus (Greek), Niels (Danish)
Historical Usage
Niels gained popularity in Denmark and other Scandinavian countries during the Middle Ages, particularly due to the influence of the name Nikolaus, associated with Saint Nicholas.
Variants & Derivatives
Niel, Niles, Nielsen
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Niels is perceived as a strong and classic name in Denmark, often associated with reliability and tradition.
Famous People
Niels Bohr - renowned physicist, Niels Gade - composer, Niels Høyer - Danish politician
📊 Niels Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Niels Name Visualizations
✨ Niels Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 31 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Niels"
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 "Niels"
"Niels" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2501st of 7545 | 170 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2597th of 6773 | 159 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2029th of 7552 | 298 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2589th of 10718 | 229 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3829th of 16616 | 215 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5902nd of 24088 | 205 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6221st of 23106 | 165 |
Regional Popularity of "Niels" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
85.06% 1173rd/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
- |
48.18% 1337th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
60.24% 2098th/3483 |
- |
45.15% 1826th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
53.79% 3398th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
52.71% 3934th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
75.38% 4731st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Niels" 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 "Niels"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Niels" 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 "Niels" in the United States
The name Niels is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Niels has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Niels' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2501st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2597th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2029th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2589th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3829th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5902nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6221st out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Niels' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.