This is the 9822nd most frequent German word.
nils
The German word "Nils" is a male given name and does not have a standalone meaning beyond being a name.
In this sentence, 'Nils' is used as a proper noun, serving as the name of a person.
Nils ist ein sehr guter Freund.
Nils is a very good friend.
Here, 'Nils' is referenced as a name mentioned within a context, specifically a book.
Ich habe den Namen Nils in einem Buch gelesen.
I read the name Nils in a book.
In this case, 'Nils' is used in a colloquial manner to signify 'nil' or 'none' as a measure of score or achievement.