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.
The name Nigella has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 42 babies being given this unique moniker between 2003 and 2015. The highest number of births occurred in 2007, with nine girls named Nigella that year. In contrast, there were only five births each in 2006 and 2014. Interestingly, the name's popularity appears to be somewhat cyclical, with peaks occurring roughly every few years. For instance, after a low of five births in 2006, the number increased to eight in 2008 before dipping again to five in 2014 and then rising to seven in 2015. Despite its fluctuations in popularity, Nigella remains a distinctive and uncommon name choice for parents looking to bestow something unique upon their daughters.