Will my child share the name Nigel with classmates?

Unlikely. With around 5 UK babies named Nigel per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Nigel in their class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.

Is Nigel becoming more or less popular in the UK?

Nigel is declining: down 1,418 places since 2019, to #3,684 in 2025. It peaked at #552 in 1996.

Is Nigel a good choice for a distinctive name?

Nigel is a distinctive choice sitting outside the mainstream UK top names. Parents choosing less common names often find their children appreciate the individuality as they grow up, rarely needing to add an initial to distinguish themselves.

Is Nigel a popular baby name in the United States?

Nigel does not appear in the US top 1,000 baby names, making it a distinctively British choice.

👦 Boy's name 💎 Relatively Unique UK #3684

Nigel

🗳️ Add Nigel to a family shortlist

Nigel is a distinctive choice, ranked #3684 in 2025. Your child is likely to be the only Nigel in their class.

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UK Rank 2025

#3684

About the Name Nigel

Nigel has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 1244 places in five years. It was most popular in 1996 at #552 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.

Nigel is rare in the UK, so your child is very likely to be the only Nigel in their class.