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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nimue

Nimue

♀ Girl

Pronounced NIM-oo-ay /ˈnɪm.u.eɪ/Medium

Meaning: The name of the Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend — the enchantress (also called Viviane) tied to Merlin and to the sword Excalibur. Its ultimate root is uncertain; the legendary tie is the anchor.Low

In 30 seconds: A legendary name: Nimue is the Lady of the Lake of Arthurian tales (said 'NIM-oo-ay'). Mythic and rare.
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Origin LowArthurian, English
MeaningThe name of the Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend — the enchantress (also called Viviane) tied to Merlin and to the sword Excalibur. Its ultimate root is uncertain; the legendary tie is the anchor.
U.S. rank (2024)#16954 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 103

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202120012024

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

Nimue belongs to Arthurian legend as the Lady of the Lake, sometimes called Viviane, tied to Merlin and the sword Excalibur. Its ultimate meaning is uncertain, but the legendary tie is the anchor — very rare in the U.S. (said 'NIM-oo-ay').

It appears only very rarely in the U.S. Extremely rare, mythic, and evocative.

Did you know? Nimue is the name of the Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend — the enchantress (also called Viviane) linked to Merlin and to Excalibur — which we note honestly; its deeper root is uncertain (said 'NIM-oo-ay').
Overall data confidence 36%
References — Nimue — The Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend (also Viviane); noted honestly. audio true.

Variations

NimuehNinianeViviane

Nicknames

NimMia

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nimue…

Viviane— the Lady of the Lake's other name
Guinevere— a like Arthurian name
Morgana— a like Arthurian enchantress name
Rhiannon— a like Celtic legendary name

Explore names like Nimue

By themeuncertainlegendarymythicarthurian

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nimue mean?

Nimue is the Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend, also called Viviane; its deeper root is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Nimue?

It's said NIM-oo-ay /ˈnɪm.u.eɪ/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nimue a boy or girl name?

Nimue is a girl's name.

How popular is Nimue?

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

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