Declining since 2017, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Nishan since 1924
Babies named Nishan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 47 |
| 1990s | 47 |
| 2000s | 91 |
| 2010s | 127 |
| 2020s | 47 |
Meaning & origin
Nishan has been in recorded use in the United States since 1924, with its highest popularity in 2010 when it ranked highest among boys. Despite its long presence, it has never reached widespread usage, remaining a distinctive choice. The name entered the U.S. naming pool primarily through Armenian and South Asian immigrant communities and has seen a declining trajectory since 2017, with an estimated 1 in 284,679 boys receiving the name in 2025. Its multicultural roots give it resonance across several linguistic traditions, while its simple spelling and pronunciation make it accessible in English-speaking contexts.
Nishan derives from the Persian word 'neshan' meaning 'sign, mark, or insignia,' and entered Armenian as an adoption of the same root. In Sanskrit, the related 'niśāna' means 'sign, mark, or target.' The name has historical usage among Armenian, Persian, and Indian communities, often given as a name denoting honor or distinction.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nish, Shan
Variants: Nishaan, Neshan
Sibling names for Nishan
Names that share Nishan's style, for a brother or sister.
