3,891births recorded
2Countries
2Variants
1884Peak · United States
#4539United States 2025
Nels is a boy name family recorded 3,891 times in 2 countries since 1880. It ranks highest today in the United States (#4539 in 2025). Its all-time peak was in the United States in 1884, at 13.1 births per 100,000. Elsewhere it is mostly given as Neels (France).
Popularity by country
Births per 100,000 newborns, all forms of the name combined.
Which form wins where
Births per 100,000 newborns for each form, in the selected country.
All forms of Nels
| Variants | Language | Total births | Country | Latest rank | Peak year | 10-year trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nels | English | 3,841 | 🇺🇸 United States | #4539 | 1884 | ▲ 74 % |
| Nels | English | 10 | 🇫🇷 France | – | 2019 | – |
| Neels | French | 40 | 🇫🇷 France | – | 2022 | – |
Questions about Nels
How popular is the name Nels?
In 2025 it ranked #4539 in the United States. Official registers record 3,891 births across 2 countries.
What is Nels in other languages?
Neels (French).
When was Nels most popular?
It peaked in the United States in 1884, at 13.1 births per 100,000.
Is Nels a boy or a girl name?
In official birth registers, Nels is a boy name.