Nivea
A girl's name of Latin origin with 1,321 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Nivea has 1,321 recorded U.S. births across 49+ years, peaking at 92 in 2003. It occupies the space between “never heard of it” and “everyone has one in their class” — a name that feels personal without being obscure.
In the most recent SSA release, Nivea ranks #7472 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Nivea is a girl's baby name of Latin origin meaning 'snow-white' or 'snow-like,' derived from the Latin word niveus. The name carries the pristine imagery of fresh snowfall and has long been used in Latin-speaking religious contexts as a poetic expression of purity.
Most widely known today through the global skincare brand, Nivea as a given name predates the product by centuries. Parents who choose it are drawn to its elegant Latin roots and the clean, luminous image it evokes.
EtymologyShow more
Nivea first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1975. First appearing in the 1970s, Nivea emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Latin classification suggests a path from latin linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Nivea was #2388 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #7472, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 111 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 456 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 532 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 49 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 132 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 41 | — |
The Story of Nivea
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2003, Nivea is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Nivea are most likely born between 1993 and 2013.
How rare is Nivea?
Only about 1 in every 240,000 babies born in 2024 was named Nivea — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 532 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Nivea by the numbers
- Would fill 28 school buses
- Meeting one Nivea per day would take 3.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(44 years, 1975–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | #7472 |
| 2023 | 23 | #5503 |
| 2022 | 22 | #5757 |
| 2021 | 20 | #6103 |
| 2020 | 31 | #4416 |
| 2019 | 30 | #4620 |
| 2018 | 27 | #4969 |
| 2017 | 30 | #4663 |
| 2016 | 35 | #4212 |
| 2015 | 39 | #3901 |
| 2014 | 49 | #3309 |
| 2013 | 29 | #4852 |
| 2012 | 68 | #2648 |
| 2011 | 76 | #2429 |
| 2010 | 73 | #2533 |
| 2009 | 67 | #2725 |
| 2008 | 66 | #2768 |
| 2007 | 68 | #2702 |
| 2006 | 61 | #2878 |
| 2005 | 78 | #2304 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2024