Nils
Origin of the name Nils:
Danish and Swedish cognate of the Greek Nikolaos (victory of the people) a compound name composed of the elements nikē (victory) and laos (the people). The name was borne by St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra about whom many legends have grown. He is known to children as the bringer of gifts on Christmas.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the bookDoes Nils sound...
Sibling Names for Nils...
Do you know any real life Nilss?
What are their siblings named?
Reader Contributions
Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Nils!
- Comments and insights on the name Nils: | Edit
I've only known one person with this name, and he pronounced it with the i sounding like the i in "it" rather than the e sound it says in the pronunciation guide here.
On Top Chef Masters, swedish chef Nils Noren also pronounced the i in his name like the i in "it" rather that the pronounciation given here.
The pronunciation (when we lived in Norway) was definitely 'Kneels', though I have to agree with the people who observed that they hear it pronounced 'Nills' . My son has the same dilemma, that where we live people hardly even know the name and it is colloquially said 'Nills', though in saying that I think he is more comfortable being a 'Nills' than a 'Kneels' so it hardly matters!
- Personal experiences with the name Nils: | Edit
My beautiful son is a Nils. He is tall, strong, a real athlete, and handsome, every bit the Viking Nils!
It is a lovely strong name - we lived in Scandinavia, and in some areas it is still a popular name choice, quite common in older age groups.
I love the name.- Nicknames for Nils: | Edit
Nilsy; NooNoo; Nilsybub (mothers - these are cute when they are FIVE, and a great way to embarrass them when they are SIXTEEN!)
- Meanings and history of the name Nils: | Edit
This is anecdotal, but I was told by a dear old Norwegian lady that it was a viking name, a proud, strong male name from the days when the Vikings took to the waters - originally driven out of hunger and a need to feed their children and families, rather than bloodlust.
Norwegians today are such a lovely people - I cant imagine their period in time when a good portion of the world quaked in fear at their mention.
If this snippet of history is true, it makes it all the more interesting, but either way it's a great name.- Famous real-life people named Nils: | Edit
Nils Noren, VP of of culinary arts the French Culinary institute in New York. Contestant on Top Chef Masters.
Nils Petter Molvær, Norske jazz trumpeter, Oslo, Norge.
- Nils in song, story & screen: | Edit
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NameVoyager US Popularity of Nils Over Time
NameMapper Current Popularity of Nils by State
Global Popularity of the Name Nils
- #28 in Germany
- #46 in Sweden
- #152 in Norway
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