Nigel is a name of English origin, derived from the Old Norse name Niállr. The name Niállr is composed of two elements: "nið" meaning "strife," and "-ullr," which means "power." Therefore, Nigel can be translated as "strife-power."
The use of the name Nigel dates back to medieval times in England, when it was often used as a nickname or byname for people who were particularly strong-willed or aggressive. Over time, however, the name Nigel has become more associated with being noble and powerful rather than just referring to someone's temperament.
In the Middle Ages, Nigel was a common name among the Norman nobility who invaded England in 1066. It is also believed that King Æthelred II of England had a daughter named Ælfgifu, who married a man named Nigel, the ancestor of the Norman-Nugent family.
Today, Nigel remains a popular given name for boys in English-speaking countries such as England, Australia, and New Zealand. It is often spelled without the final "e" or with an alternative spelling like Nigelus. Some notable people named Nigel include Nigel Farage, a British politician and leader of the UK Independence Party, and Nigel Slater, an English food writer and broadcaster.
In summary, Nigel is an ancient name of Norse origin that has evolved over time to become associated with nobility and power. Despite its initial meaning of "strife-power," it is now often seen as a strong and dignified name for boys.
The name Nigel has been consistently present in the United States over the past century, with a total of 85 babies given this name since 1915. While it was not extremely popular during any particular year, there were periods where its usage was more frequent. For instance, between 1973 and 1978, Nigel was given to around 40-50 newborns each year. This period seems to have been the most significant for this name in terms of popularity. However, even during these years, it remained relatively rare compared to more popular names. In recent decades, from 1989 onwards, the number of births with the name Nigel has hovered around 5-7 per year, showing a steady, if modest, level of usage. Despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, Nigel continues to be a unique and recognizable name choice for parents in the United States.