Namewise

Names beginning with N

Every name in Namewise's catalogue whose recorded spelling begins with N, listed alphabetically. Names are grouped by the spelling a registrar published, so a name spelled differently in another country appears under that spelling's own letter.

647 names beginning with "N"

Full profile: deeper editorial detail. Official popularity record: sourced statistical evidence, editorial detail not yet written. Name identity record: exists in the catalogue with limited current evidence. Namewise is expanding editorial depth over time.

Nora

female

Full profile

A short form of the names Honora (linked to Latin 'honor') or Eleanor — not an independently rooted name; Behind the Name does not specify which is the 'true' source for any given historical bearer.

English/Irish, short form of Honora or Eleanor
Noah

male

Full profile

Commonly interpreted as 'rest' or 'comfort'.

Hebrew
Nicole

female

Full profile

The French feminine form of Nicholas, from the Greek elements 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people).

Greek, via French transmission
Nicola

female

Full profile

The feminine form of Nicholas, from the Greek elements 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people).

Greek, feminine form
Niamh

female

Full profile

Traditionally interpreted as 'bright' or 'radiant'. In Irish mythology, Niamh was daughter of the sea god Manannán mac Lir, who fell in love with the poet Oisín.

Irish (mythological)
Nina

female

Full profile

A short form of names ending in '-nina', such as Antonina or Giannina; imported to Western Europe from Russia and Italy in the 19th century.

Various (Russian/Italian short-form tradition)
Nicholas

male

Full profile

From Greek Nikolaos, combining 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people) — 'victory of the people'. Associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop and the inspiration for Santa Claus.

Greek
Natasha

female

Official popularity record

Natalie

female

Full profile

From the Roman names Natalis/Natalia, from Latin 'natalis' ('relating to birth, birthday') — connecting the name to Christmas Day as Jesus's traditional birthday.

Latin
Nathan

male

Full profile

Commonly interpreted as 'he gave' or 'he has given'.

Biblical Hebrew
Niall

male

Official popularity record

Noel

male

Official popularity record

Nils

male

Official popularity record

Nigel

male

Official popularity record

Neil

male

Official popularity record

Naomi

female

Full profile

Commonly interpreted as 'my pleasantness' or 'my delight'.

Biblical Hebrew
Nikita

Both

Official popularity record

Narelle

female

Official popularity record

Nevaeh

female

Official popularity record

Nikolai

male

Official popularity record

Nikau

male

Full profile

The name of a native New Zealand palm tree (Rhopalostylis sapida) — a botanical/plant word used as a given name, not a traditional personal name in origin. The correct Maori spelling carries a macron (Nikau), which this catalogue slug omits.

Maori
Nate

male

Official popularity record

Neville

male

Official popularity record

Nova

male

Official popularity record

Showing 24 of 60 names on this page.