Nels
Every Nels since 1880 — 3,841 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nels
Nels is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,656 in 2025 with 22 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 3,841 American babies have been named Nels. Its peak came in 1918, when 65 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Nels stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nels year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | #4,656 |
| 2024 | 18 | #5,380 |
| 2023 | 19 | #5,193 |
| 2022 | 19 | #5,163 |
| 2021 | 23 | #4,454 |
| 2020 | 16 | #5,625 |
| 2019 | 13 | #6,674 |
| 2018 | 11 | #7,470 |
| 2017 | 16 | #5,709 |
| 2016 | 15 | #5,974 |
| 2015 | 14 | #6,212 |
| 2014 | 21 | #4,653 |
| 2013 | 7 | #10,407 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7,394 |
| 2011 | 12 | #6,878 |
| 2010 | 17 | #5,407 |
| 2009 | 16 | #5,735 |
| 2008 | 10 | #8,111 |
| 2007 | 12 | #6,958 |
| 2006 | 7 | #10,337 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5,494 |
| 2004 | 12 | #6,403 |
| 2003 | 9 | #7,659 |
| 2002 | 10 | #6,903 |
| 2001 | 14 | #5,319 |
| 2000 | 14 | #5,242 |
| 1995 | 11 | #5,405 |
| 1990 | 23 | #2,841 |
| 1985 | 18 | #2,793 |
| 1980 | 43 | #1,464 |
| 1975 | 21 | #2,182 |
| 1970 | 29 | #1,601 |
| 1965 | 32 | #1,373 |
| 1960 | 38 | #1,288 |
| 1955 | 55 | #1,021 |
| 1950 | 45 | #1,058 |
| 1945 | 26 | #1,320 |
| 1940 | 35 | #1,123 |
| 1935 | 26 | #1,345 |
| 1930 | 26 | #1,451 |
| 1925 | 47 | #1,006 |
| 1920 | 44 | #1,061 |
| 1915 | 56 | #821 |
| 1910 | 11 | #1,024 |
| 1905 | 14 | #657 |
| 1900 | 8 | #1,021 |
| 1895 | 20 | #449 |
| 1890 | 15 | #503 |
| 1885 | 20 | #407 |
| 1880 | 12 | #553 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nels in 2025?
Nels ranked #4,656 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 22 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nels?
3,841 babies have been named Nels in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nels most popular?
Nels peaked in 1918, when 65 newborns received the name.
Is Nels a boy or girl name?
Nels is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nels rising or falling?
Nels is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.