Holding steady.
Popularity of Nesta since 1928
Babies named Nesta per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 | 0 |
| 1930s | 42 | 0 |
| 1940s | 6 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 11 |
| 2000s | 5 | 39 |
| 2010s | 30 | 58 |
| 2020s | 11 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Nesta is a rare unisex name in the United States, first appearing in Social Security records in 1995. Its usage has been stable but minimal, with a peak year in 2018. The name does not rank among the top 1,000 and is given to fewer than five babies per year. Of Welsh origin, Nesta is generally considered a diminutive of Agnes or a variant of Nest, both ultimately derived from the Greek word for 'pure'. The name has a gentle, lyrical quality and is most familiar in Welsh and English contexts. It has not been strongly associated with any particular region or state.
The name Nesta is most commonly considered a Welsh diminutive of Agnes, which in turn derives from the Greek hagnē, meaning 'pure' or 'holy'. It is also sometimes viewed as a variant of the Welsh name Nest, of similar origin. The name has seen limited but steady use in Wales and England, with occasional appearances in the United States since the late 20th century.
“Nesta” around the world
Where Nesta lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Nest, Ness
Sibling names for Nesta
Names that share Nesta's style, for a brother or sister.
