Nidal
Meaningstruggle, striving · Arabic
Nidal is an Arabic boy name meaning “struggle, striving”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- AnagramShuffle the letters of Nidal and you get Dilan and Linda. Same letters, different names.
- GenerationNidal peaked in 1988, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Nidal you'd meet today is about 37 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Nidals too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Nidal would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 243,902 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryNidal first shows up in US birth records in 1974, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 51 years since.
US births per million boys, 1974–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Nidal
Nidal is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “struggle, striving”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1980s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Nidal
What does the name Nidal mean?
Nidal means “struggle, striving” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Ajani (“one who wins after a struggle”), Neftali (“my struggle”) and Naphtali (“my struggle”).
What is the origin of the name Nidal?
Nidal is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Nidal a boy or girl name?
Nidal is a boy name. In 2025, 7 US boys were named Nidal.
How popular is the name Nidal?
Nidal ranked #9,714 for US boys in 2025, given to 7 babies. Its best year was 1988, when it reached #3,915.
What names are similar to Nidal?
If you like Nidal, you might also like Ajani, Neftali and Naphtali.
What should I know before naming my baby Nidal?
Nidal is an Arabic boy name meaning “struggle, striving”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.