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Nels
OriginNorwegian and Swedish variation of Nicholas
Meaning"people of victory"
US Rank#4656
2025 SSA
About Nels
One of those simple Norse names, like Lars, that is definitely worth thinking about.
Pronounced NELZ.
As of October 2026, Nels ranked #4656 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #309 in 1884.
Popularity & trends
US popularity — history
US rank, lower is more popular · SSA data 2014–2025
Actual · SSA
20142025
18802025
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #4,652 | 21 | 10.9 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | #4,454 | 23 | 13.1 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | #4,656 | 22 | 12.9 |
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Nels on lists
Nels in pop culture
- Nels Oleson
from "Little House on the Prairie"
- Nels
from "Woven" by Michael Jensen and David Powers King
Variations & nicknames
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