Nayeli
Top 1000
About Nayeli
Predominantly used among the Hispanic community, but beginning to be used more broadly, Nayeli is a melodic choice, derived from the Zapotec nadxiie lii meaning "I love you", or perhaps from nayele meaning "open". While the former meaning is certainly more endearing and whimsical, the second is nevertheless friendly and warm.
Familiar in Spain, Puerto Rico, and more recently The Netherlands, Nayeli joined the US Top 1000 in the mid-90s, peaked in 2001 when it made the Top 200, then declined again — though a recent year has seen a resurgence of the name, perhaps owing to its positive meanings.
Notable bearers include footballers Nayeli Rangel and Nayeli Díaz, along with social media star, Nayeli Lo Vera, who may have helped popularize the name in more recent years.
Pronounced nah-YEL-ee.
As of October 2026, Nayeli ranked #271 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #175 in 2001, Nameberry popularity #541.
Editor's take: The name Nayeli is a girl's name of Zapotec origin meaning "I love you; open".
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #402 | 809 | 452.9 |
| 2015 | #458 | 692 | 387.7 |
| 2016 | #474 | 670 | 378.1 |
| 2017 | #498 | 629 | 364.3 |
| 2018 | #410 | 754 | 443.2 |
| 2019 | #434 | 738 | 439.7 |
| 2020 | #424 | 724 | 447.9 |
| 2021 | #383 | 817 | 497.9 |
| 2022 | #337 | 957 | 583.5 |
| 2023 | #332 | 931 | 580.2 |
| 2024 | #319 | 960 | 592.5 |
| 2025 | #271 | 1,151 | 716.1 |
World rankings
Similar names
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Nayeli on lists
Famous Nayelis
- (Lydia) Nayeli Rangel
Mexican footballer
- Nayali Lavender Spears
daughter of Aaron D. Spears
Nayeli in pop culture
- Nayeli
main character in Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea