Total births
10
Unisex name · since 1999
Nikel
Since 1999, U.S. Social Security records show 10 babies named Nikel, peaking in 1999. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.
- 10
- total births
- 1999–2008
- years on record
- 1990s
- peak decade
- 50%
- born in that decade
Nikel is not among the current top-ranked boys names; 10 have been recorded since 1999.
Social Security Administration records show Nikel recorded 10 times among boys since 1999, though it doesn't currently rank among the most-used boys names, peaking in the 1990s. This profile derives year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1999 to 2008.
- 10 total births
- 1999–2008 years on record
- 1990s peak decade
- 50% born in that decade
Data updated Jul 2026
The verdict
10 boys have been named Nikel since 1999, peaking in the 1990s, last recorded in 2008.
- 10
- total births
- 1999–2008
- years on record
- 1990s
- peak decade
- 50%
- born in that decade
1990s
Peak decade
50% of everyone ever named Nikel was born in this single decade.
1999
Single peak year
5 babies were named Nikel in 1999 - its busiest year on record.
Nikel's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Nikel splits its recorded history at 2008: 50% of all births land in the more recent half, 50% in the earlier half, an evenly balanced pattern over time. The single quietest year was 1999 (5 births).
Nikel at a glance
Last recorded 2008Peak year
1999
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1999
Nikel popularity over time - boys
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1999–2008
- Peak year (1999)
- 5
- Annual births at peak, across 10 years of records
Nikel popularity over time - girls
5 total births recorded since 1999 (Nikel as girls' name)
Nikel by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1990s was Nikel's strongest decade.
5 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 50% of all-time use.
Nikel births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1990s
1990s
5 births
- 2000s
2000s
5 births
What this shows Peak: 1990s at 5 births (50% of all-time use).
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Nikel? ▼
10 babies have been named Nikel since 1999. It was last recorded in 2008. The peak year was 1999 with 5 births.
When was Nikel most popular? ▼
Nikel was most popular in the 1990s decade with 5 total births. The single peak year was 1999.
Is Nikel a unisex name? ▼
Yes, Nikel is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name it has 10 births, and as a girl's name it has 5 births.
How long has the name Nikel been used? ▼
Records for Nikel go back to 1999, giving 10 years of history through 2008.
What names are similar to Nikel? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Nikolas, Niko, Nikolai, Nikhil, and 4 more. These share a common prefix and are also used for boys.
What to do with Nikel's data
- Nikel's usage has stayed within range of its 1990s decade-level peak (5 total births) through the 2000s (5) -- a comparatively stable name, not a fading trend.
- Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Nikel
Nearby Names Like Nikel
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Nikel
Nikolas Boy
#730 24,035 births
Niko Boy
#344 14,629 births
Nikolai Boy
#593 11,027 births
Nikhil Boy
#2541 5,404 births
Nikko Boy
#1280 4,526 births
Compare Nikel side by side: Nikel vs Nikolas Nikel vs Niko Nikel vs Nikolai
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of July 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1999–2008 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Nikel: Baby Name Since 1999 - 10 Births, Peak 1999." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/nikel. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Nikel draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.