Provided is a negative electrode active material containing SiOx and carbonaceous particles containing graphite and having both good discharge capacity and good electric conductivity. Also provided is a negative electrode using the negative electrode active material and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. When the carbonaceous particles have an average particle diameter D50 of α (μm) and a BET specific surface area of β (m2/g), the α and the β satisfy the following Formulae (1) and (2). β≦−(12/18)α+12  (1) 5≦α≦15  (2).