Nigel

English form of Latin Nigellus, from nigellus, diminutive of niger (“black”), used in the Middle Ages to Latinize Norman Néel or Gaelic Neil.

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• Rhymes: -aɪdʒəl

Nigel

1. A male given name, of mostly British usage.
   • 1822 Walter Scott, The Fortunes of Nigel, Chapter XXIII,

     'I thought, sir,' answered Nigel, with as much haughtiness as was consistent with the cool distance he desired to preserve, 'I thought I had told you, my name was Nigel Grahame.'

     His eminence of Whitefriars on this burst into a loud, chuckling, impudent laugh, repeating the word, till his voice was almost inarticulate, - 'Niggle Green - Niggle Green - Niggle Green! why, my lord, you would be queered in the drinking of a penny pot of Malmsey, if you cry before you are touched.'

• Nigella (feminine form)
• Niyjale (rare; African-American)
• Nige (colloquial, UK and Australian)

Nigel (plural Nigels)

1. (Australia, derogatory, usually restricted to youths) A person, usually male, who is unpopular with their peers, unfashionable, socially awkward and/or introverted.

   He's such a Nigel, hanging around in the library all day by himself.

2. (derogatory) An English person

• Nigel-no-friends
• Nige

• Elgin, Elgin., Ingle, ingle, linge

From English Nigel.

• Hyphenation: ni‧gel

Nigel

1. a male given name