नीलेश

Nilesh

boySanskritHindu

Nilesh is a Hindu boy name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Blue lord; Krishna or Shiva”.

MeaningBlue lord; Krishna or Shiva
GenderBoy
OriginSanskrit
Written asनीलेश
Pronunciationnee-LAYSH
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia

Meaning and origin of Nilesh

Nilesh joins nila, 'blue', and isha, 'lord', giving 'the blue lord'. It is most often understood as Krishna, who is pictured with dark blue skin, though some families relate it to Shiva, the blue-throated god. The -esh ending is common in Indian boys' names, as in Mahesh and Ganesh. Nilesh was particularly popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat in the 1970s and 1980s.

Is Nilesh a Hindu name?

Nilesh is a devotional Hindu name pointing to the blue-skinned deity, usually Krishna. It is a mainstream choice in Vaishnava households.

How popular is Nilesh?

Common in India, especially among men born in the later twentieth century.

Gifts with the name Nilesh

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Spellings and variants of Nilesh

Neelesh

Names similar to Nilesh

More Hindu boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Nilesh mean?

Nilesh means 'Blue lord; Krishna or Shiva'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Nilesh a Hindu name?

Nilesh is a devotional Hindu name pointing to the blue-skinned deity, usually Krishna. It is a mainstream choice in Vaishnava households.

How do you pronounce Nilesh?

Nilesh is pronounced nee-LAYSH.

Is Nilesh a boy or girl name?

Nilesh is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.