Nefeli is a unique and beautiful Greek female given name with a rich history and cultural significance. Derived from the ancient Greek word 'nefele' which means 'cloud', Nefeli is believed to have been used as early as the Middle Ages in Greece.
According to Greek mythology, Nefeli was also the name of one of the Oceanids, the daughters of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. The Oceanids were often associated with natural bodies of water such as rivers, oceans, and clouds. Thus, the name Nefeli could have been given to a child born during a particularly stormy period or to honor the powerful forces of nature.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nefeli. One famous example is Nefeli tou Voutsa, a Greek heroine who played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule in the early 19th century. Tou Voutsa was known for her bravery and cunning, using her intelligence to outsmart Ottoman soldiers and help liberate her people.
Today, Nefeli remains a popular choice among Greek parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their daughters. It has also gained some international recognition due to its beautiful sound and its association with the powerful forces of nature.
In summary, Nefeli is an ancient Greek name with a rich history and cultural significance. Derived from the word 'nefele' meaning 'cloud', it has been used since medieval times and carries associations with both natural phenomena and legendary heroines. Despite its ancient roots, Nefeli remains a popular choice for parents seeking unique and meaningful names for their daughters today.
The name Nefeli has seen a fluctuating trend of popularity over the past two decades in the United States. In 2003, there were 5 newborn girls named Nefeli, according to the annual statistics. The number of births increased slightly in 2010 with 7 girls being named Nefeli.
In 2012, we saw a peak in popularity for this name with 10 newborns being given the name Nefeli. However, it appears that this was an outlier as the numbers dropped back down to 5 births in 2013 and remained relatively stable at 7 births each year from 2014 to 2016.
Starting in 2018, there has been a noticeable uptick in the popularity of the name Nefeli. There were 8 girls named Nefeli in 2018, which then increased to 11 in both 2019 and 2020. This upward trend continued into 2021 with 11 births and reached its highest point yet in 2022 with 13 newborn girls named Nefeli.
As of 2023, there have been a total of 15 newborns named Nefeli so far this year. Looking at the past decade as a whole, from 2013 to 2023, we can see that there has been a gradual increase in the popularity of this name with a cumulative total of 109 births during these years.
While it's difficult to predict future trends based on such a small sample size and varying numbers year by year, it seems that the name Nefeli is gaining some traction in recent years among parents in the United States. However, it remains relatively rare compared to more popular choices.