Popular names beginning with N include Noah, Naomi, Nicholas, and Nicole. There are also some beautiful rare options, like Neptune and Nieves. Take a look through our list of names that start with N for more ideas.
Nadeem
Origin: Arabic Meaning: Drinking companion Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nadim, Nedim Peak Popularity: Nadeem is not on the top 1,000 names in the U.S.
Nadia
Origin: Russian Meaning: Hope Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nadiia, Nadya, Nadiyya Peak Popularity: Nadia is a moderately common name in the U.S. It hit its peak popularity in 2005 at No. 178. Since then, its use has gradually trailed off.
Nadine
Origin: RussianMeaning: HopeAlternative Spellings & Variations: NadenePeak Popularity: Nadine has been a popular name for years, but it’s popularity has waned some since the 1960’s. Nadine has been on the top 1,000 names since 1900, and it peaked at No. 229 in 1926.
Nadir
Origin: ArabicMeaning: RareAlternative Spellings & Variations: NaderPeak Popularity: Nadir is not listed in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.
Naia
Origin: BasqueMeaning: Wave, seafoamAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nai’a, Naya, NyaPeak Popularity: Naia is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Nalini
Origin: SanskritMeaning: LotusAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nallini, NalyniPeak Popularity: Nalini is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Naomi
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Pleasantness Alternative Spellings & Variations: Noemi, Noemia, Noemin, Nohemi Peak Popularity: Naomi is a popular name, especially in recent years. It has been a top 100 name since 2010 and it is currently at its peak at No. 52. Naomi has been among the top 500 names consistently since 1900.
Nasim
Origin: ArabicMeaning: BreezeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Naseem, Nassim, NesimPeak Popularity: Nasim is not listed in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.
Natalia
Origin: LatinMeaning: Christmas DayAlternative Spellings & Variations: Natalija, Natallia, NataliyaPeak Popularity: Natalia was only moderately common until the 1970’s when it hopped onto the top 1,000 and stayed there. It increased steadily in popularity, breaking the top 100 for the first time in 2006. Natalia is currently at its peak at No. 79.
Natalie
Origin: Latin Meaning: Christmas Day Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nathalie Peak Popularity: Natalie has historically been quite a popular name. It has been in the top 600 since the Social Security Administration started collecting name data in 1900. Natalie broke the top 100 names in 1976 and the top 50 in 1996. By 2004, Natalie was a top 20 name. Its peak was in 2008 at No. 13, and it has come down some since then, sitting currently at No. 56.
Natasha
Origin: RussianMeaning: Christmas DayAlternative Spellings & Variations: Natasa, Natasja, Natisha,Peak Popularity: Natasha is a moderately common name, but its popularity is on the decline. Back in 1982, it hit its peak at No. 71 and since then, fewer and fewer parents are choosing this name for their children. Natasha is currently the 905th most common name for girls.
Nathaniel
Origin: Biblical Meaning: God has given Alternative Spellings & Variations: Natanael, Natanail, Nataneil, Nathanael, Nathanahel, Netan’el Peak Popularity: Nathaniel has stood the test of time, having been in the top 250 names since 1900. It broke the top 100 in 1978 and it is currently at No. 133.
Navid
Origin: PersianMeaning: Good newsAlternative Spellings & Variations: NaveedPeak Popularity: Navid is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Ned
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Rich guardAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ed, Edward, Ted, TeddyPeak Popularity: Ned was a popular baby name until 1977 when it dropped off the charts. It’s peak was in 1907 at position 291.
Neema
Origin: SwahiliMeaning: Divine graceAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nema, NimaPeak Popularity: Naia is not in the top 1,000 names in the U.S., but it is a top 10 name in Tanzania.
Neil
Origin: Irish Meaning: Fury, passion Alternative Spellings & Variations: Neal, Niall, Nigel Peak Popularity: Neil is a popular baby name, but less so than it was in the pass. Neil peaked in 1933 at No. 149 and it is currently at No. 719.
Nela
Origin: CroatianMeaning: UnknownAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nella, NeylaPeak Popularity: Nela is a rare name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Nellie
Origin: EnglishMeaning: The other AenorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ella, Elle, Ellie, Nell, Nelly, Nora,Peak Popularity: Nellie was quite popular in the earlier part of the 20th century, and it has steadily declined in use since. It peaked in 1901 and 1902 at No. 41 and it fell off the charts in 1980. Nellie reappeared on the charts in the year 2019 and it is currently at No. 742.
Nels
Origin: DanishMeaning: Victory of the peopleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nel, Nells, NilsPeak Popularity: Nels spent some time on the charts from 1901 to 1909 and from 1911 to 1918, and one more time in 1927. Its peak popularity was in 1902 at No. 607.
Nelson
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Son of NielAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nielson, NiesenPeak Popularity: Nelson has historically been a popular baby name, but it has declined in recent years.
Nephele
Origin: GreekMeaning: CloudAlternative Spellings & Variations: NefeliPeak Popularity: Nephele is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Neptune
Origin: Ancient RomanMeaning: Ancient Roman God of the SeaAlternative Spellings & Variations: Neptuno, Neptunus, Nettuno,Peak Popularity: Neptune is an uncommon name in the U.S. and not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Nestor
Origin: GreekMeaning: HomecomerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nestore, NestoriPeak Popularity: Nestor is not currently a common name. In fact, it fell off the charts in 2008. It was at its peak popularity in 1991 at No. 586.
Nevaeh
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Heaven spelled backwardAlternative Spellings & Variations: Naavah, Navaeya, NaviaPeak Popularity: The name Navaeh came into popularity when Sonny Sandoval’s daughter was born in 2000 and named Navaeh. Within five years, it broke the top 100 names and peaked in 2010 at No. 25. Navaeh is currently the 86th most popular name in the U.S.
Neven
Origin: CroatianMeaning: MarigoldAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nevena, NevenkaPeak Popularity: Neven is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Neville
Origin: EnglishMeaning: New townAlternative Spellings & Variations: NevilPeak Popularity: Neville is not listed in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.
Nicholas
Origin: Greek Meaning: Victory of the people Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nickolas, Nikolas Peak Popularity: Nicholas has historically been quite popular in the U.S. It has been on the charts since 1900 when the Social Security Administration started reporting name data. It broke into the top 100 in 1972 and into the top 20 in 1985. Nicholas became a top 10 name in 1993 and peaked in popularity in 1999 as the 5th most common name for boys.
Nico
Origin: GreekMeaning: VictoryAlternative Spellings & Variations: Niko, Klaas, KlausPeak Popularity: Nico is currently at its peak popularity as the 259th most common name for boys.
Nicodemus
Origin: GreekMeaning: Victory of the peopleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nicodemo, NikodemosPeak Popularity: Nicodemus is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Nicole
Origin: FrenchMeaning: Victory of the peopleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nicolette, Nichole, NikolePeak Popularity: Nicole first showed up on the charts in 1942. It grew steadily in popularity, becoming a top 50 name by 1969 and a top 10 name by 1972. Nicole peaked at position 6 in 1982 and has seen a steady decline since.
Nieves
Origin: SpanishMeaning: SnowAlternative Spellings & Variations: Neus, Neves, NivesPeak Popularity: Nieves is not listed in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.
Nike
Origin: GreekMeaning: VictoryAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nikias, NikonPeak Popularity: Nike is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Nicolette
Origin: FrenchMeaning: Victory of the peopleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nicoletta, Nikoletta, NikolettePeak Popularity: Nicolette made a brief appearance on the charts in the early 1950’s and then showed back up again in the ’80s through the early 2000s. It was most popular in 1993 at No. 327.
Nila
Origin: SanskritMeaning: Dark blueAlternative Spellings & Variations: Neela, Neelam, NilamPeak Popularity: Nila fell off the charts in 1953 and it is now considered an uncommon baby name.
Nima
Origin: PersianMeaning: Half moonAlternative Spellings & Variations: NeemaPeak Popularity: Nima is not listed in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.
Nina
Origin: LatinMeaning: UnknownAlternative Spellings & Variations: Antonina, Ninette, TonyaPeak Popularity: Nina has historically been a common name. It was most popular in 1902 and it stayed in the top 200 from 1900 to 1940. It declined slowly after that and bumped up again in the 1980s before steadily dropping again.
Nishant
Origin: SanskritMeaning: DawnAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nikhil, PrashantPeak Popularity: Nishant is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Niven
Origin: IrishMeaning: Little SaintAlternative Spellings & Variations: Naomhan, NevanPeak Popularity: Niven is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Noah
Origin: HebrewMeaning: RestAlternative Spellings & Variations: Noach, Noa, NoePeak Popularity: Noah is currently the 2nd most popular name for boys. From 2013 to 2016 it was ranked No. 1. Noah has historically been quite common and it has been a top 100 name since 1995.
Nobuko
Origin: JapaneseMeaning: Childlike trustAlternative Spellings & Variations: NobuyukiPeak Popularity: Nobuko is not listed in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.
Noelle
Origin: FrenchMeaning: ChristmasAlternative Spellings & Variations: Noel, Noël, NoëllePeak Popularity: Noelle has been a common name over time and it is somewhat more popular over the past eight years. It is currently at its peak at No. 202.
Nola
Origin: EnglishMeaning: MagnoliaAlternative Spellings & Variations:Peak Popularity: Nola has seen varied popularity over the years. It was on the charts until 1964 when it dropped off until 2008.
Nolan
Origin: IrishMeaning: Famous, loudAlternative Spellings & Variations: NuallanPeak Popularity: The name Nolan has become increasingly common over the years. It is currently at its peak popularity at No. 60.
Noll
Origin: Ancient GermanicMeaning: Elf warriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nolle, Nole, Olle, Ollie, OliverPeak Popularity: Noll is a rare name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Nora
Origin: LatinMeaning: Honor, esteem, dignityAlternative Spellings & Variations: Eleanor, Honora, Honoria, LeonoraPeak Popularity: Nora has been a top 50 name since 2014. It is currently at its peak popularity at No. 27.
Norman
Origin: GermanicMeaning: North manAlternative Spellings & Variations:Peak Popularity: The name Norman is declining in popularity and may soon fall off the charts. Its peak was at No. 37, which it held onto from 1931 to 1933.
Novak
Origin: SerbianMeaning: NewAlternative Spellings & Variations: Hobak, Novack, NowakPeak Popularity: Novak is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Nuan
Origin: ChineseMeaning: Warm, genialAlternative Spellings & Variations: NwahnPeak Popularity: Nuan is not listed in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.
Nyah
Origin: EnglishMeaning: UnknownAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nia, Niyah, NyaPeak Popularity: Nyah is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
Nye
Origin: WelshMeaning: Honor, esteem, dignityAlternative Spellings & Variations: Aneirin, NiyePeak Popularity: Nye is not listed in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.
Nyx
Origin: GreekMeaning: NightAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nix, NiksPeak Popularity: Nyx is an uncommon name in the U.S. and is not listed in the top 1,000 names.
