Nigel (pronounced /ˈnaɪdʒəl/) is an English masculine given name. The name is derived from the Latin Nigellus. This Latin name would seem to represent the Latin niger, meaning "black"; however this is thought to be an example of folk etymology. The Latin Nigellus, instead, is thought to be a Latin form of Niel, Nihel, which are forms derived from the Norse Njáll. The Norse Njáll, in turn, is derived from the Gaelic Niall.[1] The English Nigel is commonly found in records dating from the Middle Ages, however it was likely not used much before being revived by 19th century antiquarians, such as Sir Walter Scott.[2] Nigel was a common name for boys born in England and Wales during the 1960s and 1970s.[citation needed] Nigel has never been as common in other countries,[citation needed] but has been among the thousand most common names for boys born in the United States since 1971, with its highest ranking on the Social Security Administration's list.[3]
Notable men named Nigel
- Nigel I de Saint-Sauveur (Néel de Saint-Sauveur) 11th century, Norman baron, viscount of Cotentin. According to a legend he would be a descendant of Malahuc Eysteinsson, Ragnvald Eysteinsson's brother
- Nigel II de Saint-Sauveur ( ? - ca 1085), son of the first one, viscount of Cotentin, one of the conspirators against William the Bastard
- Nigel D'Oyly (Néel d'Ouilly), Anglo-Norman lord
- Nigel d'Aubigny (Néel d'Aubigny), Norman nobleman
- Nigel, Bishop of Ely (Néel d'Ely ) (died 1169), Anglo-Norman bishop
- Richard FitzNeal or Richard FitzNigel (Richard Fitz-Néel ) (died 1198 ), his son, bishop of Ely
- Nigel Ayers, multimedia artist
- Nigel Barker, fashion photographer
- Nigel John Taylor, bass player of Duran Duran
- Nigel Benn, British boxer
- Nigel Bennett, actor, director, and writer
- Nigel Benson, writer and illustrator
- Nigel Bruce, actor
- Nigel Clough, British footballer
- Nigel Dick, director, writer, and musician
- Nigel Edwards, former Welsh professional footballer
- Nigel Evans, British politician
- Nigel Farage, British politician, MEP (UKIP)
- Nigel Godrich, recording engineer and record producer
- Nigel Gresley, steam locomotive engineer
- Nigel Havers, actor
- Nigel Hawthorne, actor
- Nigel Hess, British composer
- Nigel Holmes, graphic designer
- Nigel Irens, yacht designers
- Nigel Keay, violist and composer
- Nigel Kennedy, violinist and violist
- Nigel Kneale, scriptwriter
- Nigel Latta, psychologist
- Nigel Lawson, British politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Nigel de Longchamps, 12th-century English poet
- Nigel Lythgoe English television, film director and producer
- Nigel Mansell, British racing car driver
- Nigel Martyn, British football goalkeeper
- Nigel Marven, British wildlife television presenter, television producer, author, and hobby ornithologist
- Nigel McGuinness, professional wrestler
- Nigel Mitchell, British television presenter and radio presenter
- Nigel Morris, cofounder of Capital One
- Nigel Olsson, drummer for Elton John, solo recording artist
- Nigel Pivaro, An English actor famous for his role as Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street
- Nigel Planer, actor
- Nigel Reo-Coker, An English footballer currently playing for Aston Villa
- Nigel Short, chess player
- Nigel Smart, Australian rules footballer
- Nigel Stock, actor who played Dr Watson
- Nigel West, pen name of Rupert Allason
- Nigel Winterburn, former Arsenal and England footballer
Fictional characters
- Sir Nigel Thornberry, fictional wildlife documentary producer from The Wild Thornberrys
- Nigel Tufnel, lead guitarist for the fictional band Spinal Tap
References
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