Holding steady, #1,529 for boys today.
Popularity of Nestor since 1885
Babies named Nestor per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 17 |
| 1900s | 26 |
| 1910s | 185 |
| 1920s | 257 |
| 1930s | 217 |
| 1940s | 214 |
| 1950s | 404 |
| 1960s | 536 |
| 1970s | 768 |
| 1980s | 1,452 |
| 1990s | 2,587 |
| 2000s | 2,023 |
| 2010s | 1,179 |
| 2020s | 560 |
Meaning & origin
Nestor has been in continuous use in the United States since at least 1885, the first year recorded in Social Security data. Its popularity peaked in 1992, though it has never been a common choice, maintaining a steady presence over the decades. As of 2025, it ranks 1,529 nationally, with 1 in 15,116 boys receiving the name. The name has seen particular use in states with larger Hispanic communities, given its prominence in Spanish-speaking cultures. Nestor is most frequent in Arizona, California, and Texas. Its trajectory is stable, reflecting consistent but modest appeal. The name carries literary and mythological weight from Homer's 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey,' where Nestor is the wise advisor, giving it a scholarly, historical edge that appeals to parents drawn to classical names.
From the Greek name Νέστωρ (Nestor), meaning 'one who returns' or 'homecoming.' In Greek mythology, Nestor was the wise king of Pylos who fought in the Trojan War. The name was used in ancient Greece and later among early Christians in honor of Saint Nestor, a 3rd-century martyr.
Where Nestor is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nestor” around the world
Where Nestor 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: Ness, Nesty
Sibling names for Nestor
Names that share Nestor's style, for a brother or sister.
