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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nilay

Nilay

♂ Boy

Pronounced nee-LYE /niˈlaɪ/Medium

Meaning: A Turkish name (often read with the moon-element ay, 'moon'), and separately linked to Sanskrit nilaya, 'home; dwelling.' Two routes meet here, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft cross-cultural name: Nilay is Turkish and also echoes Sanskrit for 'home' (said 'nee-LYE'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowTurkish, Sanskrit
MeaningA Turkish name (often read with the moon-element ay, 'moon'), and separately linked to Sanskrit nilaya, 'home; dwelling.' Two routes meet here, which we note.
U.S. rank (2018)#11745 ↘ Falling
2018 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2006
Total births (all-time)≈ 234

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200619742018

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

Nilay appears as a Turkish name and is separately linked to the Sanskrit nilaya, 'home; dwelling.' The two routes are distinct, which we note — a gentle, uncommon choice, rare in the U.S. (said 'nee-LYE').

It appears extremely rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, soft, and cross-cultural.

Did you know? Nilay turns up as a Turkish name and, by another route, as Sanskrit nilaya ('home; dwelling') — two paths that share a sound, which we note (said 'nee-LYE').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Nilay — Turkish name / Sanskrit nilaya 'home'; routes uncertain

Variations

NilaiNeelayNillay

Nicknames

NilLay

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nilay…

Nihal— a like Turkish name
Kaan— a like short Turkish pick
Aarav— a like Sanskrit-rooted name
Kiran— a like soft cross-cultural choice

Explore names like Nilay

By themeuncertainsanskritsoftturkish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nilay mean?

Nilay is a Turkish name and is also linked to Sanskrit nilaya, 'home; dwelling.' The routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Nilay?

It's said nee-LYE /niˈlaɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the last.

Is Nilay a boy or girl name?

Here Nilay is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Nilay?

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

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