Given name
Nilsa
“a champion”
Nilsa is a variant of Nilsine. In Scandinavian use, Nilsine carries the interpretation “a champion.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Nilsa is a variant of Nilsine. In Scandinavian use, Nilsine carries the interpretation “a champion.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1946. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Nilsa through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,809
- 0 boys · 1,809 girls
- Most popular year
- 1960
- 76 babies
- 2025
- 5
- #16,600 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +100%
- Rising fast
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 5 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 16,600 among girls’ names. The recent annual counts are too incomplete to establish a ten-year comparison. Its largest published annual count for girls was 76 in 1960. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,367 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Nilsa, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Risa
“one who laughs often”
>99% girls
Nicol
“of the victorious people”
>99% girls
Leisha
>99% girls
Lynna
“a man of the lake”
>99% girls
Twila
“woven with double thread”
>99% girls
Niki
“of the victorious people”
>99% girls
Zina
“A secret spirit” · “welcoming”
>99% girls
Luanna
“one who is content and enjoys life”
>99% girls