Declining since 2000, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Nigeria since 1975
Babies named Nigeria per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 25 |
| 1980s | 82 |
| 1990s | 308 |
| 2000s | 299 |
| 2010s | 68 |
| 2020s | 28 |
Meaning & origin
Nigeria is a rare given name drawn from the West African country, first recorded in the United States in 1975. The name reached its peak popularity in 2000, and since then its usage has fallen, consistent with a trajectory of declining interest after the turn of the millennium. In 2025, Nigeria ranked 14,942, with approximately 1 in 321,453 baby girls receiving the name. The name is a modern place-name choice, carrying associations with the nation's culture and identity. While never common, Nigeria reflects a broader trend of names inspired by countries and continents. Its top most-associated states include none that meet the threshold for reporting, underscoring its rarity across the country.
Nigeria is a modern coinage derived from the West African country of the same name, which was itself adopted from the Niger River. The river's name is of uncertain origin, possibly from a Tuareg phrase or from the Latin 'niger' (black). As a given name, Nigeria emerged in the United States in the 1970s, likely inspired by national pride or the country's prominence.
Sibling names for Nigeria
Names that share Nigeria's style, for a brother or sister.
