William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Nile
BoyGreek, Egyptian· “from the river Nile”
- Meaning
- from the river Nile
- Origin
- Greek, Egyptian
- Pronunciation
- NYL
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,848
- US babies 2025
- 86
- Best rank
- #950 (1896)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Nile
Nile is a Greek and Egyptian name that is usually said to mean “from the river Nile”.
Nile is the name of the great river of northeastern Africa, from the Greek Neilos, whose origin is uncertain. The river was central to the civilization of ancient Egypt. As a given name it may also be taken as a variant of Neil, from the Irish Niall, which has a separate origin. It is pronounced NYL. The musician Nile Rodgers, co-founder of the band Chic, is one of its best-known bearers. Short and smooth, it joins other river names like Jordan and Hudson, and the long i makes it easy to say.
Other spellings with the same sound: Niall.
Popularity over time
Nile first appears in US Social Security records in 1895. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 1896. Its best national rank was #950 in 1896, and the most babies received it in 2021, when 129 were named Nile. In 2025, 86 babies were named Nile, and it ranked #1,848 nationally. That is 54% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,862 in 1920, #1,525 in 1950, #2,099 in 1980, #2,244 in 2000, #2,087 in 2010, and #1,848 in 2025. Of the 3,696 US boys named Nile since records began, 18% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 584 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Avion, Ranger, Massiah, Hansel, and Kassius.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nile ranked highest in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 86% of US babies named Nile over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Nile is usually pronounced NYL, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-le”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Niall.
Middle names for Nile
A few middle names that flow with Nile: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nile
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Lists that include Nile
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nile mean?
Nile is a Greek and Egyptian name that is usually said to mean “from the river Nile”.
What is the origin of the name Nile?
Nile has Greek and Egyptian roots. Nile is the name of the great river of northeastern Africa, from the Greek Neilos, whose origin is uncertain.
Is Nile a popular name?
Not especially. Nile ranked #1,848 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Nile a boy or girl name?
Nile is mainly a boy's name. About 86% of US babies named Nile over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Nile?
Nile is usually pronounced NYL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings