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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nigeria

Nigeria

♀ Girl

Pronounced ny-JEER-ee-ah /naɪˈdʒɪr.i.ə/Medium

Meaning: The name of the West African country Nigeria, itself named for the Niger River (the river's name of uncertain, possibly Berber or Latin origin). Used as a place/heritage name. Given plainly.Low

In 30 seconds: A place-and-heritage name: Nigeria comes from the country, named for the Niger River (said 'ny-JEER-ee-ah'). Bold and rooted.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningThe name of the West African country Nigeria, itself named for the Niger River (the river's name of uncertain, possibly Berber or Latin origin). Used as a place/heritage name. Given plainly.
U.S. rank (2022)#10195 ↗ Rising
2022 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2000
Total births (all-time)≈ 805

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200019752022

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Nigeria takes its name from the country, itself named for the Niger River. As a given name it reads as a bold place-and-heritage choice, given plainly. Rare in the U.S. (said 'ny-JEER-ee-ah').

It appears only rarely as a given name in the U.S. Rare, bold, and rooted.

Did you know? Nigeria is the name of the West African nation — named for the Niger River — used as a place-and-heritage name, given plainly (said 'ny-JEER-ee-ah').
Overall data confidence 36%
References — Nigeria — country name Nigeria; from the Niger River

Variations

NigériaNijeriaNigeriah

Nicknames

NijiRia

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nigeria mean?

Nigeria is the name of the West African country, named for the Niger River; used as a place-and-heritage name.

How do you pronounce Nigeria?

It's said ny-JEER-ee-ah /naɪˈdʒɪr.i.ə/ — four syllables, stress on the second.

Is Nigeria a boy or girl name?

Nigeria is a girl's name.

How popular is Nigeria?

Nigeria is an extremely rare name in the U.S.

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