Niels
Meaning: Carved in stone, earthly and strong, as expressed through the name Niels
Origin: Scandinavian/French
Gender: Boy
Rank in France: #689
Total births: 3,029
History: Danish form of Nicholas. Niels Bohr won the Nobel Prize in Physics. Popular in France since the 2000s.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from France’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2021) | #685 |
| Babies named Niels in 2021 | 54 |
| Total recorded in France | 3,003 |
| Peak year | 2012 (182 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #312 |
| Years in records | 1967–2021 (52 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 106 spots |
Frequently asked about Niels
What does the name Niels mean?
Niels means “Carved in stone, earthly and strong, as expressed through the name Niels” from Scandinavian/French roots.
What is the origin of the name Niels?
Niels has Scandinavian/French origin. The traditional meaning is “Carved in stone, earthly and strong, as expressed through the name Niels”.
How popular is Niels in France?
Niels ranked #685 in France in 2021 — given to 54 babies that year.
When was Niels most popular?
Niels peaked in 2012 with 182 babies registered that year in France.
Is Niels a boy or girl name?
Niels is predominantly a boys' name in France — over 90% of Nielss in registered births are male.
Is the name Niels rising or falling in popularity?
Niels has fallen 106 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in France — from #579 in 2016 to #685 in 2021.
How long has Niels been recorded in France?
Niels appears in birth records in France across 52 years — from 1967 through 2021.