Nayel is a form of the Arabic Nail or Na'il and means "attainer" or "one who achieves", from a root that describes reaching a goal or winning a prize. The spelling with y is common in North Africa and France and has also been adopted by Spanish-speaking families who like its soft sound. Nayel has climbed from number 4840 in 2015 to number 1804 in 2025, its highest rank so far.