Rising since 1993, #2,941 for boys today.
Popularity of Nihal since 1993
Babies named Nihal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6 | 46 |
| 2000s | 28 | 235 |
| 2010s | 133 | 343 |
| 2020s | 71 | 201 |
Meaning & origin
Nihal has been a unisex name in the United States since its first recorded use in 1993. Its popularity has been rising steadily, reaching its peak rank of 2941 in 2025, with a 1 in 40668 chance of a newborn receiving the name. The name is most prevalent in California, reflecting its appeal in culturally diverse regions. Nihal's growth since the 1990s mirrors the increasing visibility of Indian names in the American naming landscape, though its exact meaning remains open to interpretation.
Nihal is a name with multiple proposed origins. In Sanskrit, it may derive from निहाल (nihāla) meaning 'rain cloud' or 'gathering of clouds'. Alternatively, in Tamil, it could be a variant of நிகல் (nikal) meaning 'to occur' or 'to succeed', often associated with success or achievement. The name has been in use in India and among the Indian diaspora, gaining modest popularity in the United States since the 1990s.
Where Nihal is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nihal” around the world
Where Nihal lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nihi, Hal
Variants: Nihaal, Nihaal Singh
Sibling names for Nihal
Names that share Nihal's style, for a brother or sister.
