Holding steady, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Nilay since 1974
Babies named Nilay per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 11 |
| 1980s | 0 | 33 |
| 1990s | 0 | 27 |
| 2000s | 5 | 91 |
| 2010s | 0 | 72 |
| 2020s | 17 | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Nilay is a cross-cultural name with roots in both Sanskrit and Turkish, reflecting diverse linguistic traditions. First recorded in the United States in 1974, it reached its peak popularity in 2006, yet remains a rare choice overall. In 2025 it ranked 10,695 nationally, making it a distinctive option for parents seeking an uncommon name. The name has seen a stable trajectory in recent years, with no dramatic swings in usage. While it has not strongly associated with any particular U.S. states, its multicultural background gives it broad appeal.
Nilay is a name with multiple possible origins. In Sanskrit, it can mean "home" or "residence," and appears in Hindu texts. In Turkish, Nilay is a compound of "nil" (meaning "indigo" or "blue") and "ay" (meaning "moon"), thus "blue moon" or "moon halo." It has been used as a given name in Turkey and India, and gained modest popularity in the United States since the 1970s.
“Nilay” around the world
Where Nilay lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Nilay, Neelay, Neelai
Sibling names for Nilay
Names that share Nilay's style, for a brother or sister.
