The baby name Nils is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced /nɪls/ (NILS; rhymes with 'hills').
Nils is Scandinavian in Origin.
The baby name Nils is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced /nɪls/ (NILS; rhymes with 'hills').
Nils is Scandinavian in Origin.
Nils is the Scandinavian short form of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos (nike 'victory' + laos 'people'), transmitted through Latin Nicolaus and medieval North German/Scandinavian usage. It took root across Sweden and Norway during the Middle Ages with the spread of the Saint Nicholas cult, and later gained traction in German-speaking countries; in Finland it is common among Swedish speakers, while the native Finnish cognate is Niilo.
Variants include Niels (Danish, Dutch), Nils (Swedish, Norwegian, German), and related forms Nikolaus, Nikolai, Klaus, Claes, and the diminutive Nisse; English Niles exists but tends to be a surname-derived given name. The name conveys the meaning 'victory of the people,' blending strength with communal spirit. Cultural echoes appear in Selma Lagerlof's Nils Holgersson and modern bearers like musician Nils Lofgren and composer Nils Frahm.
| Nils-Aslak Valkeapää Nils-Aslak Valkeapää was a Norwegian musician and poet, best known for his work in promoting and preserving Sámi culture. His album 'Goase Dušše' and his poetry collection 'The Sun, My Father' are among his notable works. He played a significant role in bringing Sámi music and literature to a broader audience. | Nils Gaup Nils Gaup is a Norwegian filmmaker and actor best known for directing the film 'Pathfinder' (1987), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He has also directed 'The Kautokeino Rebellion' and 'Head Above Water', showcasing his talent in bringing Norwegian stories to the screen. | Nils Poppe Nils Poppe was a Swedish actor best known for his comedic roles in films and theater. He gained fame for his work in the film 'The Seventh Seal' where he played the character Jof. Poppe was also a beloved figure in Swedish entertainment for his performances in the 'Åsa-Nisse' film series. |
| Name | Last Name(s) | Mother | Mother famous for | Fame Level | Father | Father famous for | Fame Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nils | Tavernier | Bertrand Tavernier | film director | ★★★★★ |
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Boys | 2025 | #1 | — | 423 |
| Ireland | Boys | 1992 | #1 | — | 371 |
| Sweden | Boys | 2022 | #5 | 576 | 1,509 |
| NA | 0 | #33 | 1 | 2,537 | |
| EE | 0 | #37 | 1 | 1,051 | |
| MT | 0 | #43 | 1 | 1,767 | |
| Norway | Boys | 2025 | #53 | 113 | 444 |
| LU | 0 | #65 | 2 | 2,830 | |
| Switzerland | Boys | 2024 | #71 | 70 | 1,769 |
| JP | 0 | #76 | 2 | 4,057 | |
| CN | 0 | #84 | 3 | 3,857 | |
| Germany | Boys | 0 | #105 | 5,716 | 5,697 |
| EE | Boys | 0 | #120 | 6 | 2,087 |
| CY | Boys | 0 | #131 | 1 | 3,473 |
| GR | 0 | #135 | 1 | 3,911 | |
| MU | 0 | #137 | 1 | 3,613 | |
| PA | 0 | #138 | 1 | 3,797 | |
| BN | Boys | 0 | #139 | 1 | 6,332 |
| CR | 0 | #163 | 3 | 5,526 | |
| DK | 0 | #169 | 35 | 5,198 | |
| Germany | 0 | #173 | 369 | 2,542 | |
| HU | Boys | 0 | #174 | 1 | 3,954 |
| DK | Boys | 0 | #177 | 165 | 7,401 |
| HR | 0 | #181 | 1 | 2,081 | |
| Belgium | Boys | 2021 | #183 | 26 | 408 |
| AE | 0 | #186 | 2 | 10,220 | |
| AR | 0 | #193 | 1 | 2,915 | |
| LU | Boys | 0 | #203 | 16 | 4,970 |
| Finland | Boys | 2026 | #208 | 1,752 | 3,552 |
| SI | Boys | 0 | #211 | 1 | 3,402 |
| PL | 0 | #212 | 1 | 2,600 | |
| BG | Boys | 0 | #220 | 1 | 3,850 |
| AL | Girls | 0 | #227 | 1 | 4,141 |
| BG | Girls | 0 | #231 | 1 | 3,559 |
| France | Boys | 2021 | #239 | 163 | 2,865 |
| AO | Boys | 0 | #249 | 1 | 5,568 |
| JP | Girls | 0 | #251 | 1 | 6,592 |
| NA | Boys | 0 | #251 | 3 | 6,830 |
| HR | Boys | 0 | #259 | 1 | 3,997 |
| IL | 0 | #282 | 1 | 6,291 | |
| SG | 0 | #282 | 1 | 11,010 | |
| Finland | 0 | #294 | 14 | 830 | |
| KZ | Boys | 0 | #296 | 1 | 6,578 |
| AL | Boys | 0 | #299 | 5 | 5,122 |
| Canada | Boys | 2024 | #302 | 5 | 2,588 |
| CZ | Boys | 0 | #302 | 4 | 6,530 |
| JP | Boys | 0 | #303 | 1 | 7,909 |
| PE | 0 | #322 | 8 | 6,350 | |
| CN | Boys | 0 | #329 | 3 | 9,639 |
| DK | Girls | 0 | #329 | 1 | 7,429 |
| GT | 0 | #337 | 2 | 5,948 | |
| NL | 0 | #341 | 51 | 2,481 | |
| Finland | Boys | 0 | #355 | 73 | 2,041 |
| HK | 0 | #355 | 3 | 8,483 | |
| MU | Girls | 0 | #362 | 1 | 8,539 |
| Austria | Boys | 0 | #366 | 77 | 2,180 |
| BO | 0 | #367 | 15 | 6,868 | |
| MU | Boys | 0 | #368 | 2 | 8,477 |
| PT | Boys | 0 | #377 | 5 | 7,951 |
| YE | 0 | #398 | 1 | 8,639 | |
| NL | Boys | 0 | #404 | 806 | 5,873 |
| BD | Girls | 0 | #406 | 1 | 8,413 |
| PH | Boys | 0 | #407 | 2 | 11,440 |
| UY | Boys | 0 | #410 | 4 | 5,922 |
| CL | 0 | #431 | 4 | 6,867 | |
| CR | Boys | 0 | #467 | 21 | 10,188 |
| PT | Girls | 0 | #471 | 1 | 7,952 |
| ZA | 0 | #471 | 4 | 14,421 | |
| AR | Boys | 0 | #479 | 5 | 7,628 |
| GT | Boys | 0 | #493 | 7 | 7,625 |
| BO | Boys | 0 | #499 | 94 | 9,244 |
| PA | Boys | 0 | #499 | 7 | 9,305 |
| CO | 0 | #510 | 1 | 7,768 | |
| PA | Girls | 0 | #518 | 1 | 9,861 |
| RU | Boys | 0 | #520 | 7 | 12,621 |
| IQ | Girls | 0 | #525 | 1 | 11,303 |
| UY | Girls | 0 | #536 | 1 | 6,731 |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #549 | 9 | 12,905 |
| PS | Boys | 0 | #558 | 4 | 10,655 |
| IR | Boys | 0 | #563 | 3 | 10,162 |
| CM | Boys | 0 | #572 | 4 | 12,054 |
| BH | 0 | #586 | 2 | 17,937 | |
| AE | Girls | 0 | #597 | 1 | 20,968 |
| BD | Boys | 0 | #604 | 2 | 10,045 |
| CL | Boys | 0 | #612 | 54 | 13,390 |
| IL | Boys | 0 | #622 | 4 | 10,983 |
| AR | Girls | 0 | #630 | 1 | 8,289 |
| PE | Boys | 0 | #633 | 258 | 14,506 |
| BO | Girls | 0 | #651 | 1 | 9,488 |
| IN | Girls | 0 | #652 | 3 | 13,121 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #687 | 11 | 17,960 |
| LB | 0 | #690 | 1 | 13,263 | |
| IQ | Boys | 0 | #694 | 4 | 13,071 |
| QA | Boys | 0 | #743 | 1 | 18,093 |
| BR | Boys | 0 | #783 | 3 | 12,213 |
| KW | Boys | 0 | #805 | 2 | 18,755 |
| TN | 0 | #864 | 2 | 13,765 | |
| United States | Boys | 2024 | #873 | 20 | 7,044 |
| Spain | Boys | 0 | #890 | 41 | 5,610 |
| CL | Girls | 0 | #909 | 7 | 14,098 |
| CO | Boys | 0 | #910 | 11 | 15,656 |
| OM | Boys | 0 | #915 | 4 | 17,948 |
| EG | Boys | 0 | #922 | 4 | 15,035 |
| MX | Boys | 0 | #969 | 14 | 16,355 |
| IN | Boys | 0 | #987 | 15 | 16,750 |
| PE | Girls | 0 | #1,003 | 8 | 14,861 |
| SA | Girls | 0 | #1,014 | 1 | 25,931 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,077 | 16 | 22,615 |
| CO | Girls | 0 | #1,151 | 2 | 16,140 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,153 | 26 | 25,619 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,181 | 2 | 25,439 |
| MA | 0 | #1,197 | 3 | 20,986 | |
| DZ | 0 | #1,231 | 4 | 20,130 | |
| TR | 0 | #1,250 | 5 | 19,440 | |
| IT | Boys | 0 | #1,377 | 95 | 10,046 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,689 | 3 | 28,008 |
Nils is popular in 71 countries — most recent births per country:
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