unisex name
Nilay
nee-LY (Turkish)
- Origin Turkish
- Gender Unisex
- Syllables 2
- Letters 5
- Popularity Rare
- Births on record 710
Nilay is a unisex name with 2 syllables. It is given to both girls and boys — about 60% of recorded births with this name are girls. In 2025 it was given to 11 babies in the United States. It is a rare choice.
- Nilay is a name of Turkish origin.
- Peaked in France in 2007, when 20 babies were given the name.
- Its usage has held steady over the past decade in France.
- Today about 1 in 117,911 babies in France is given this name.
- Nilay started out as a boys' name and is now given almost entirely to girls.
- First appears in birth records in 1993.
- 2 syllables, with the stress on syllable 2.
Nilay Over Time
Births per decade in France, 1990s to 2020s. The striped bar is the 2020s, which so far covers 2020 to 2025.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 15 |
| 2000s | 115 |
| 2010s | 170 |
| 2020s (to 2025) | 60 |
How Popular Is Nilay?
In 2025, Nilay was given to 5 babies in France. It is a rare choice.
Where Nilay Is Used
French counts are rounded to the nearest five and nothing below five is published, so these figures show the shape of the name's use rather than an exact tally. Data & sources.
Names That Peaked Alongside Nilay
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents Who Like Nilay Also Like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Nilay over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
How to Say Nilay
- Turkish nee-LY
Sibling Names for Nilay
Names from the same era that do not rhyme or share an initial with Nilay — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common Questions About Nilay
How popular is the name Nilay?
In 2025, Nilay was given to 5 babies in France. It is a rare choice.
Is Nilay a girl's or a boy's name?
Nilay is used for both girls and boys. About 60% of recorded births with this name are girls.
How many syllables are in Nilay?
Nilay has 2 syllables.
When was Nilay most popular?
Nilay peaked in 2007, when 20 babies were given the name. Its usage has held steady over the past decade.
Is Nilay a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Nilay currently ranks #5,894 in France. Its usage has held steady over the past decade. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.
Was Nilay originally a boys' or girls' name?
Nilay was given mostly to boys in the earliest US birth records and is now given almost entirely to girls.