Nels
Nels is a boy's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
People of victory.
Origin and history
Nels is a Scandinavian variant of Nelson or Nels/Niels, ultimately derived from Nicholas. It has a long history of steady, low-level use in the United States, particularly in areas with Scandinavian heritage. Today, it remains an uncommon and classic choice.
Popularity in the United States
3,841 babies in the United States have been named Nels since 1880. It ranks #2058 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1810.
States where it is most popular
- MN (30.7 %)
- CA (19.5 %)
- WI (11.3 %)
- IL (10.4 %)
- WA (8.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 210 |
| 1890-1900 | 192 |
| 1900-1910 | 111 |
| 1910-1920 | 402 |
| 1920-1930 | 398 |
| 1930-1940 | 317 |
| 1940-1950 | 349 |
| 1950-1960 | 454 |
| 1960-1970 | 343 |
| 1970-1980 | 276 |
| 1980-1990 | 264 |
| 1990-2000 | 152 |
| 2000-2010 | 119 |
| 2010-2019 | 137 |
| 2020-2029 | 117 |
Famous people named Nels
- Nels Van Patten: Actor, Tennis Player
- Nels Cline: Musician, Guitarist
Fun facts
- Nels evolved as a regional Scandinavian adaptation of the name Nicholas.
- Although never a top-ranking name, Nels has appeared consistently in U.S. birth records since 1880.