Nihal
Meaningdelighted · Persian
Nihal is an Indian boy name meaning “delighted”, with Persian roots. Persian names often draw on poetry, light and the natural world. 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?
- GenerationNihal peaked in 2014, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Nihal you'd meet today is about 11 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Nihal would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 40,650 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryNihal first shows up in US birth records in 1993, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 32 years since.
- Boy or girlNihal truly works for either: 78% of the 54 babies named Nihal in 2025 were boys, the rest girls.
US births per million boys, 1993–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Nihal
Nihal is a boy name of Indian origin meaning “delighted”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades and is still gaining fans. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian boy names
- Unisex name: Makai · toward the sea
- Boy name: Arjun · bright, shining
- Boy name: Zain · beauty, grace
- Unisex name: Idris · possibly studious
- Boy name: Aarav · peaceful, calm
- Unisex name: Rohan · ascending
- Unisex name: Aryan · noble
- Boy name: Ishaan · lord, ruler
Questions about the name Nihal
What does the name Nihal mean?
Nihal means “delighted” and comes from Persian.
What is the origin of the name Nihal?
Nihal is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Persian. Other Indian names to consider are Makai (“toward the sea”), Arjun (“bright, shining”), Zain (“beauty, grace”) and Idris (“possibly studious”).
Is Nihal a boy or girl name?
Nihal is a boy name, though a few girls are given it too each year. In 2025, 42 US boys were named Nihal.
How popular is the name Nihal?
Nihal ranked #2,941 for US boys in 2025, given to 42 babies. Its best year was 2014, when it reached #2,847. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,485 places.
What should I know before naming my baby Nihal?
Nihal is an Indian boy name meaning “delighted”, with Persian roots. Persian names often draw on poetry, light and the natural world. 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.