"Sun; day of the sun"
Origin: Tibetan
Language: Tibetan
Nima
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Sun, justice, and blessing — all in four letters.
Persian
Iranian
Tibetan
Nepali
Sherpa
Arabic
Swahili
Spiritual
Minimalist
Elegant
Earthy
Gentle
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Meaning & Origin
"Just, fair; half moon"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
"Blessing, divine favor"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Nima
Nima carries meanings that evolved independently across three distinct linguistic traditions. In Persian (Farsi), Nima signifies 'just' or 'fair,' while an alternative etymology traces it to 'nim' (half) + 'mah' (moon), yielding 'half moon.' In Tibetan, Nima (also spelled Nyima) straightforwardly means 'sun' and is traditionally given to children born on Sunday, the day of the sun. In Arabic, the cognate Ni'mah means 'blessing' or 'divine favor.' These separate etymological streams give Nima an unusually broad cross-cultural resonance, all pointing toward light, justice, and grace.
Nima is rising steadily in Western naming as multicultural and minimalist two-syllable names gain appeal. In Iran it has been a beloved masculine given name for generations, popularized by the revolutionary poet Nima Yooshij; in the West it is used for both boys and girls, with its soft sound and global roots attracting parents seeking a name with depth.
In Persian culture, the name gained enormous prestige through Nima Yooshij (1895–1960), the poet who single-handedly transformed Persian poetry by breaking from classical forms — earning him the title 'father of modern Persian poetry.' In Tibetan and Sherpa communities, Nima is a name of spiritual significance tied to the sun.
Historical Record
Nima first appeared in US Social Security records in 1971.
Over 1,034 babies have been named Nima in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nima is past its peak , currently ranked #6,430 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Nima Yooshij, who modernized Persian poetry, was born Ali Esfandiari and adopted 'Nima' as his pen name — making the name synonymous with literary revolution in Iranian culture.
- In Tibetan tradition, Nima is the word for 'Sunday' (literally 'sun day'), so children born on a Sunday are often named Nima as a calendrical honor.
- Nima Rinji Sherpa set a Guinness World Record in 2024 as the youngest person to climb all 14 eight-thousanders, completing the feat at just 18 years old.
Nima in Other Languages
Arabic
نعمة
Nepali
Nima
Persian
نیما
Swahili
Nima
Tibetan
ཉི་མ
Popularity Over Time
#6,430
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1982
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Nima
N
Nima Rinji Sherpa
Athlete
2006
Nepalese mountaineer who in 2024 became the youngest person in history to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks...
Nepalese mountaineer who in 2024 became the youngest person in history to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks, at age 18.
N
Nima Rumba
Musician
1974
Nepalese musician and actor known for hit songs in Nepali pop music, celebrated across Nepal and the Himalayan diaspora.
N
Nima Yooshij
Writer
1895
Iranian poet regarded as the father of modern Persian poetry for his revolutionary 'she'r-e now' style that broke with c...
Iranian poet regarded as the father of modern Persian poetry for his revolutionary 'she'r-e now' style that broke with classical forms.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,430
- Total SSA Count
- 14
- Cultural Origins
- Persian Iranian Tibetan Nepali Sherpa Arabic Swahili
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Nim
Nims
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, spiritual style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, gentle style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, earthy style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nima
8 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Nima is also used as a girl name, ranked #13454.
View Nima as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nima
What does the name Nima mean?
"Sun; day of the sun" (from Tibetan). "Just, fair; half moon" (from Persian). "Blessing, divine favor" (from Arabic). Nima carries meanings that evolved independently across three distinct linguistic traditions. In Persian (Farsi), Nima signifies 'just' or 'fair,' while an alternative etymology traces it to 'nim' (half) + 'mah' (moon), yielding 'half moon.' In Tibetan, Nima (also spelled Nyima) straightforwardly means 'sun' and is traditionally given to children born on Sunday, the day of the sun. In Arabic, the cognate Ni'mah means 'blessing' or 'divine favor.' These separate etymological streams give Nima an unusually broad cross-cultural resonance, all pointing toward light, justice, and grace.
What is the origin of the name Nima?
Nima has Tibetan, Persian, Arabic, Iranian, Nepali, Sherpa, and Swahili origins. In Tibetan, it means "Sun; day of the sun". In Persian, it means "Just, fair; half moon". In Arabic, it means "Blessing, divine favor".
Is Nima a boy or girl name?
Nima is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #6430. As a girl name, it is ranked #13454. Nima is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Nima?
Nima is currently ranked #6430 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Nima?
Common nicknames for Nima include Nim and Nims.
What are good middle names for Nima?
Popular middle name pairings include Nima Sol, Nima Asha, Nima Jade, Nima Rose, Nima Layla, Nima Celeste, Nima Aria, and Nima Dawn.
What are good sibling names for Nima?
Names that pair well with Nima as siblings include Soren, Kira, Leila, Darius, Cyrus, Anika, Rumi, and Zara.
How many syllables does Nima have?
Nima has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Nima a common or rare name?
Nima is an uncommon name, ranked #6430 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Nima
Nima is a boy name with Persian, Iranian, Tibetan, Nepali, Sherpa, Arabic, and Swahili origins . The name means "Sun; day of the sun" in Tibetan .
Is Nima a boy or girl name? Nima is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #6,430 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #13,454. Nima is more commonly used as a boy name.
Nima is currently ranked #6,430 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Nima has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Nima include Nim and Nims. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis