"generous, excellent"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Nabila
Does Nabila flow with your last name?
A time-honored Arabic name meaning noble and excellent
Arabic
North African
West African
Middle Eastern
Muslim
Elegant
Sophisticated
Traditional
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"skilled with the arrow"
Origin: Classical Arabic
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Nabila
Nabila derives from the Arabic root n-b-l (نبل), which encompasses meanings of nobility, generosity, excellence, and skill. This same root also gives Arabic the word nabl (arrow), suggesting the precision and directness associated with true nobility. The feminine form of Nabil, it has been a prestigious name across the Arab world for over a thousand years, favored by aristocratic families from Morocco to the Persian Gulf.
Nabila is consistently popular across North Africa — particularly Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia — and throughout the Arab diaspora. In France, where North African communities are substantial, it has appeared in top-100 lists. Western audiences encountered it through Nabila, the famous yacht owned by Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi, named after his daughter.
In Islamic tradition, nobility and excellence (expressed through the root n-b-l) are deeply valued virtues. The name carries an aspirational quality, marking the bearer as someone of character and refinement. It is especially cherished in Algerian and Moroccan naming traditions.
Historical Record
Nabila first appeared in US Social Security records in 1977.
Over 747 babies have been named Nabila in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nabila is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #6,674 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Nabila and the masculine Nabil share the same Arabic root as the word for 'arrow,' linking nobility to precision
- The name is among the top 10 most popular girls' names in Algeria
- Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi named his famous 282-foot yacht Nabila after his daughter
Nabila in Other Languages
Urdu
نبیلہ
Arabic
نبيلة
French
Nabila
Persian
نبیله
Turkish
Nabile
Popularity Over Time
#6,674
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Nabila
N
Nabila Oulebsir
Athlete
1993
Algerian fencer who won a bronze medal in the women's épée event at the 2012 London Olympics, the first Olympic medal fo...
Algerian fencer who won a bronze medal in the women's épée event at the 2012 London Olympics, the first Olympic medal for Algeria in fencing
N
Nabila Speiler
Entertainer
1989
French-Algerian beauty influencer and TV personality known for her YouTube channel and appearances on French reality TV
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Compare Nabila with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #6,674
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic North African West African Middle Eastern Muslim
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Nabi
Bibi
Nabs
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Arabic heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nabila
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Nabila
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nabila
What does the name Nabila mean?
"generous, excellent" (from Arabic). "skilled with the arrow" (from Classical Arabic). Nabila derives from the Arabic root n-b-l (نبل), which encompasses meanings of nobility, generosity, excellence, and skill. This same root also gives Arabic the word nabl (arrow), suggesting the precision and directness associated with true nobility. The feminine form of Nabil, it has been a prestigious name across the Arab world for over a thousand years, favored by aristocratic families from Morocco to the Persian Gulf.
What is the origin of the name Nabila?
Nabila has Arabic, Classical Arabic, North African, West African, Middle Eastern, and Muslim origins. In Arabic, it means "generous, excellent". In Classical Arabic, it means "skilled with the arrow".
Is Nabila a boy or girl name?
Nabila is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Nabila?
Nabila is currently ranked #6674 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Nabila?
Common nicknames for Nabila include Nabi, Bibi, and Nabs.
What are good middle names for Nabila?
Popular middle name pairings include Nabila Rose, Nabila Marie, Nabila Fatima, Nabila Amina, Nabila Sara, Nabila Yasmin, and Nabila Layla.
What are good sibling names for Nabila?
Names that pair well with Nabila as siblings include Nadia, Karima, Yasmine, Amira, Omar, Karim, and Tariq.
How many syllables does Nabila have?
Nabila has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Nabila a common or rare name?
Nabila is an uncommon name, ranked #6674 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Nabila?
Are there other spellings for Nabila?
Related spellings include Nabi.
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Nabila
Nabila is a girl name with Arabic, North African, West African, Middle Eastern, and Muslim origins . The name means "generous, excellent" in Arabic .
Nabila is currently ranked #6,674 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Nabila has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Nabila include Nabi, Bibi, and Nabs. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Nabila include Nabi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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