Nilay is a female given name of Turkish origin. Ay means moon and Nil means the river Nile in Turkish language. The name means Moon of the Nile. People named Nilay include:
- Nilay Aydogan (1992–2023), Turkish basketball player
- Nilay Erkal (born 1999), Turkish long-distance swimmer
- Nilay Esen Ersun (born 1987), Turkish marathon runner
- Nilay Konar (born 1980), Turkish volleyball player
- Nilay Özdemir (born 1985), Turkish volleyball player
- Nilay Patel, American technology journalist
- Nilay Yiğit (born 1979), Turkish basketball player