Meaning, origin, history
Nigella is a rare and unique feminine given name of Latin origin. It means "little flower" in Latin. The name Nigella was first used as a given name by George Eliot in her novel "Middlemarch," published in 1871-72. However, it was not widely adopted until the late 20th century. Today, Nigella is still considered an unusual and distinctive name, often chosen for its literary associations or as a nod to its botanical meaning. In literature, Nigella has also been used by other authors such as D.H. Lawrence in his novel "The Rainbow.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Nigella since 1880
Total births
42
Total since 1880
Peak year
2007
9 births
in 2015
7
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-100%
↘
vs previous 5 years