Holding steady, #6,446 for boys today.
Popularity of Nobel since 1918
Babies named Nobel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2021, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nobel's real moment was 1919.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 18 |
| 1920s | 16 |
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 22 |
| 2000s | 49 |
| 2010s | 100 |
| 2020s | 60 |
Meaning & origin
Nobel is an exceptionally rare given name, with recorded usage beginning in 1918. Its peak year was 1919, when it likely saw a brief surge in popularity following the end of World War I (though the exact reason is unclear). By 2025, it ranked 6,446, with a frequency of about 1 in 131,390 births. The name's trajectory is stable, indicating it has remained a consistent but uncommon choice. Its association with the Nobel Prizes lends it a scholarly and prestigious air, though its etymology is debated. Top states for its use are not recorded, suggesting it is distributed thinly across the country. Parents choosing Nobel likely appreciate its distinctive sound and intellectual connotation.
The name Nobel has two plausible derivations. It may be a variant of the Old English personal name "Noba", or it could be derived from the Latin "nobilis" meaning 'noble'. The name gained visibility through Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist and engineer who established the Nobel Prizes. However, its use as a given name is rare, with a peak in 1919.
Sibling names for Nobel
Names that share Nobel's style, for a brother or sister.
