Declining since 2020, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Nehal since 1973
Babies named Nehal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 18 |
| 1980s | 28 | 5 |
| 1990s | 29 | 16 |
| 2000s | 51 | 22 |
| 2010s | 63 | 16 |
| 2020s | 31 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
First recorded in the U.S. in 1980, Nehal has remained a rare but steady choice. Its peak popularity occurred in 2011, but usage has declined since 2020 in a consistent falling trajectory. With fewer than 5,000 total births in the Social Security data, Nehal holds a distinctive presence without being widely known. Its dual etymology, drawing from both Arabic and Sanskrit roots, gives it a multicultural appeal that resonates with families seeking a name with depth and flexibility. The name's usage is spread thinly across the U.S., with no single state having a notable concentration, reflecting its status as a non-regional choice.
Nehal has multiple possible origins. In Arabic, it is derived from the root n-h-l, relating to intelligence and generosity, and is commonly used in Muslim communities. In Sanskrit, Nehal (नीहार) means fog or dew, though this usage is distinct. The name has been used across South Asia and the Middle East, often as a masculine name but increasingly unisex in Western contexts.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Neli, Neh
Sibling names for Nehal
Names that share Nehal's style, for a brother or sister.
