Nebula
A nebula is a distinct luminescent part of interstellar medium, which can consist of ionized, neutral, or molecular hydrogen and also cosmic dust. Nebulae are often star-forming regions, such as the Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula.
Meaning & Origin of Nebula
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
A nebula is a distinct luminescent part of interstellar medium, which can consist of ionized, neutral, or molecular hydrogen and also cosmic dust. Nebulae are often star-forming regions, such as the Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
The Story of Nebula
Nebula first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby girl name in 2011, with 5 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 2022, when 21 Nebulas were born — ranking #5,790 that year. As of 2026, Nebula ranks #6,010 for baby girls with 20 births, rising sharply (+78% over the past five years). In total, more than 163 Nebulas have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 2010s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Nebula
Phonetically similar names — useful when Nebula is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
- Nebulae
- Nebulous
- Nebulas
- Nebular
- Nebule
- Nebul
- Nebulis
- Nebulize
- Nebulose
- Nebulise
- Nubbly
- Knobbly
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nebula
What does the name Nebula mean?
How popular is Nebula in 2026?
When was Nebula most popular?
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About the name Nebula
Nebula is a girl baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 2011 and has accumulated 163 births in the dataset. Nebula's peak popularity came in 2022 when it ranked #5,790. Use the chart and map above to compare Nebula's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2022 →
- Names of the 2020s →
- Names starting with "N" →
- Browse all girl names →
- Top names of 2026 →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.