Holding steady.
Popularity of Nirali since 1978
Babies named Nirali per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1993, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nirali's real moment was 1999.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 9 |
| 1980s | 69 |
| 1990s | 147 |
| 2000s | 82 |
| 2010s | 20 |
| 2020s | 12 |
Meaning & origin
Nirali is a distinctive feminine name of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'unique' or 'matchless.' It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1978, and its use in the United States peaked in 1999, though it has never entered the top 1000 nationally. The name has maintained a stable trajectory in recent decades, reflecting steady but niche appeal among Indian-American families. Although top states for the name are not recorded in available data, Nirali is likely most common in states with large South Asian populations, such as California, Texas, and New Jersey.
Nirali is derived from the Sanskrit words 'nir' (without) and 'ali' (another), collectively meaning 'unmatched' or 'unequaled'. It appears in various Indian languages including Hindi and Marathi, where it also denotes a particular drum used in folk music. The name has been used in India for decades and occasionally appears in the Indian diaspora.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Niru, Nira, Ali
Variants: Neeralee, Niralee
Sibling names for Nirali
Names that share Nirali's style, for a brother or sister.
