Nihal
Nihal is a Sikh unisex name of Persian; also Punjabi and Turkish origin, meaning “Joyful, fulfilled; young sapling”.
| Meaning | Joyful, fulfilled; young sapling |
|---|---|
| Gender | Unisex |
| Origin | Persian; also Punjabi and Turkish |
| Written as | ਨਿਹਾਲ |
| Pronunciation | nee-HAAL |
| Tradition | Sikh, Muslim, Hindu |
| Used in | India, Pakistan, Turkey, Sri Lanka |
Meaning and origin of Nihal
Nihal has two overlapping roots. In Persian and Turkish nihal means a young plant or sapling, a symbol of growth, and in Turkey it is mainly a girl's name. In Punjabi and Hindi nihal came to mean delighted, blessed or fulfilled, a sense heard in the Sikh rallying cry 'Jo bole so nihal', 'whoever says it shall be blessed'. In India it is usually given to boys, while in the Middle East it is often feminine.
Is Nihal a Sikh name?
For Sikhs, Nihal echoes the jaikara 'Jo bole so nihal, Sat Sri Akal'; like most Sikh names it can be followed by Singh or Kaur. Muslim families use it through its Persian and Turkish meaning of a young tree.
How popular is Nihal?
Used in Punjab and across South Asia for boys, and in Turkey and the Arab world mainly for girls.
Gifts with the name Nihal
- Nihal name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Nihal baby gifts (Amazon)
- Sikh baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Nihal
Names similar to Nihal
More Sikh unisex names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nihal mean?
Nihal means 'Joyful, fulfilled; young sapling'. It is of Persian; also Punjabi and Turkish origin.
Is Nihal a Sikh name?
For Sikhs, Nihal echoes the jaikara 'Jo bole so nihal, Sat Sri Akal'; like most Sikh names it can be followed by Singh or Kaur. Muslim families use it through its Persian and Turkish meaning of a young tree.
How do you pronounce Nihal?
Nihal is pronounced nee-HAAL.
Is Nihal a boy or girl name?
Nihal is used for both boys and girls.