Nichelle
Nichelle is a girl's name of Contemporary origin.
Meaning
Combination of the prefix 'Ni-' and Michelle (meaning 'who is like God?').
Origin and history
Nichelle is a modern American name created by blending the prefix 'Ni-' with the popular name Michelle. It gained significant cultural recognition in the mid-20th century, notably through African American actress Nichelle Nichols. Though never a top-tier chart topper, it remains a distinctive and recognizable choice in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
5,543 babies in the United States have been named Nichelle since 1880. It ranks #2306 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2043.
States where it is most popular
- CA (20.9 %)
- NY (13.9 %)
- IL (7.8 %)
- OH (7.3 %)
- MI (7.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,197 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,226 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,277 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,196 |
| 2000-2010 | 423 |
| 2010-2019 | 166 |
| 2020-2029 | 58 |
Famous people named Nichelle
- Nichelle Nichols: Actress, Singer
- Nichelle Prince: Professional Athlete
Nicknames
Nikki, Nishi, Chelle
Fun facts
- Actress Nichelle Nichols famously portrayed Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek, pioneering non-stereotypical roles for Black women on American television.
- The name arose in 20th-century America as a phonetic variation inspired by the French-derived name Michelle.