Rising since 2008, #7,491 for girls today.
Popularity of Nefeli since 2003
Babies named Nefeli per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 55 |
| 2020s | 73 |
Meaning & origin
Nefeli, the modern Greek form of Nephele, entered the U.S. popularity charts in 2003 and has been steadily rising since 2008. As of 2025, it ranks 7,491, with an estimated 1 in 114,805 babies receiving the name. Its peak year thus far was 2023, reflecting growing interest in lyrical Greek names with mythological roots. While it has not yet appeared in any state-level top lists, its upward trajectory suggests increasing appeal among parents seeking distinctive, nature-inspired names with cultural depth.
Nefeli is the modern Greek form of Nephele, from the Greek word 'nephele' meaning 'cloud.' In Greek mythology, Nephele was a cloud nymph created by Zeus, and the name has been used in Greece for centuries. It gained popularity in other countries through Greek diaspora and cultural interest in Greek names.
“Nefeli” around the world
Where Nefeli lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nef, Nelly, Feli
Variants: Nephele
Sibling names for Nefeli
Names that share Nefeli's style, for a brother or sister.
