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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nilesh

Nilesh

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Nilesh

Pronounced nee-LAYSH /niːˈleɪʃ/Low

Meaning: Nilesh comes from Sanskrit, joining nila, 'blue' or 'dark-blue,' to isha, 'lord' or 'ruler,' for 'lord of the blue.' The 'blue' can point to the blue sky, the blue-throated or blue-hued divine, and the name is often understood as an epithet of the moon or of Krishna, who is pictured with dark-blue skin. It is a well-established Indian given name.Medium

In 30 seconds: Nilesh is a rare boy's name in the United States, a Sanskrit name meaning 'lord of the blue.' It appeared in recent decades (said nee-LAYSH).
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Origin MediumSanskrit
MeaningNilesh comes from Sanskrit, joining nila, 'blue' or 'dark-blue,' to isha, 'lord' or 'ruler,' for 'lord of the blue.' The 'blue' can point to the blue sky, the blue-throated or blue-hued divine, and the name is often understood as an epithet of the moon or of Krishna, who is pictured with dark-blue skin. It is a well-established Indian given name.
U.S. rank (2014)#13459 ↘ Falling
2014 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1982
Total births (all-time)≈ 178

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198219662014

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

Nilesh is a Sanskrit name formed from nila, 'blue' or 'dark-blue,' and isha, 'lord,' giving 'lord of the blue.' The blue carries rich associations in Indian thought - the sky, the divine, and the dark-blue Krishna - so the name is read as an epithet of the moon or of Krishna. Long borne across India, Nilesh reached American records with South Asian families and keeps its heritage meaning intact.

In the United States Nilesh has appeared only in small numbers and only in recent decades, given to about fifteen boys at its best in the early nineteen-eighties as Indian communities grew. A man named Nilesh from that time would be in his forties today.

Did you know? The nila, 'blue,' in Nilesh evokes the dark-blue hue traditionally given to Krishna, one of the figures the name is understood to honor.
Overall data confidence 60%
References - Nilesh — Sanskrit 'lord of the blue' (nila + isha); epithet of moon/Krishna; Indian given name.

Variations

NeeleshNileshNileshkumar

Nicknames

NilNeel

Famous Bearers

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If you like Nilesh…

Mahesh— another -esh name meaning 'great lord'
Navish— shares the -sh ending
Nivansh— shares the -sh ending
Reyansh— echoes that soft -sh sound
Aarush— shares the -sh ending

Explore names like Nilesh

By themeraresanskritindiandevotional

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nilesh mean?

It is a Sanskrit name meaning 'lord of the blue,' from nila ('blue') and isha ('lord'); it is read as an epithet of the moon or Krishna.

How do you pronounce Nilesh?

It is said nee-LAYSH /niːˈleɪʃ/ - two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Nilesh a boy or girl name?

Nilesh is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Nilesh?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys at its best in the early nineteen-eighties.

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