Nyx

♀ Girl

Pronounced NIHKS /ˈnɪks/Medium

Meaning: nightMedium

In 30 seconds: Nyx is the Greek word for 'night,' and in Greek mythology the name of the primordial goddess of night herself.

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Origin MediumGreek Mythology

Meaningnight

U.S. rank (2025)#2577 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births68 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 535

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

In Greek mythology, Nyx is one of the first beings, the embodiment of night, and her name simply means 'night.' That makes it a rare given name that is at once a plain word and a mythological figure of real weight. As a modern name it is striking and short, a single dark syllable.

The spelling, ending in that unusual -yx, gives Nyx a sleek, almost otherworldly look on the page. It stands largely on its own, drawing its appeal from the goddess and the stark meaning rather than from any family of spellings.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Nyx is 'night', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Nyx — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSVEtymology — Nyx — meaning/etymology

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Nyx…

Selene— Another Greek mythological figure of the night sky, tied to the moon.

Luna— Shares Nyx's night theme through its meaning 'moon.'

Hera— A Greek goddess name with the same mythological, single-figure appeal as Nyx.

Eris— a similarly popular pick

Theia— another Greek Mythology name

Explore names like Nyx

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nyx mean?

Nyx is usually explained as meaning 'night' and is most often linked with Greek Mythology tradition.

How do you pronounce Nyx?

It's commonly said NIHKS /ˈnɪks/.

Is Nyx a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Nyx?

In 2024, Nyx ranked #2704 in the U.S. for girls, with 64 births recorded.