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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Nikhil

Nikhil

β™‚ Boy

Pronounced NEEK-heel /ˈnik.hil/Medium

Meaning: Whole, entireMedium

In 30 seconds: Nikhil is a Hindi name meaning 'whole' or 'entire'.
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Origin MediumHindi, Marathi, Gujarati
MeaningWhole, entire
U.S. rank (2025)#2869 β†˜ Falling
2025 U.S. births44 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 5,404

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 200719712025

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

From Hindi, Nikhil conveys completeness, the sense of all or entirety. It is a familiar given name across India, where the meaning of wholeness reads as a wish for a full and complete life. The sitar maestro Nikhil Banerjee (1931-1986), of the Maihar Gharana, is among its noted bearers.

The two-beat 'Ni-khil' sound is crisp and easily said outside India, which has helped it travel.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Nikhil is 'whole, entire', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 70%
Behind the Name - Nikhil β€” etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration β€” 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Nikhil Banerjee (1931–1986)
    Indian classical sitar maestro of the Maihar Gharana.

If you like Nikhil…

Sahilβ€” echoes that soft -il sound
Naveenβ€” lands in the same popularity range
Sharvilβ€” a similarly popular pick
Krishivβ€” lands in the same popularity range
Kiranβ€” lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Nikhil

By themehindimarathi

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nikhil mean?

Nikhil is usually explained as meaning 'whole, entire' and is most often linked with Hindi tradition.

How do you pronounce Nikhil?

It's commonly said NEEK-heel /ˈnik.hil/.

Is Nikhil a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Nikhil is used as a boy name.

How popular is Nikhil?

In 2024, Nikhil ranked #2537 in the U.S. for boys, with 53 births recorded.

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