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Nirvana

Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Nirvana: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2021.

Originating from the Sanskrit word nirvāṇa, meaning "blown out" or "extinguished" — a reference to the ultimate state of enlightenment free from suffering and desire in Buddhist tradition — the name has a deeply spiritual resonance. Its most famous bearer is not a person but the iconic rock band Nirvana, fronted by Kurt Cobain, which brought the name into global popular consciousness in the early 1990s. While no major settlement shares the name, it has occasionally been adopted as a given name, particularly in the years following the band's rise, reflecting a blend of countercultural cachet and serene philosophy. The name is unisex, though it remains rare even in Scotland, where its otherworldly sound and peaceful meaning appeal to parents seeking something distinctive and symbolic.

Girl 1 of 52 years

Peak year
20213 babies
Latest (2021)
#7923 babies
Total births
3since 2021
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 · 3
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).