The present invention is a negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, comprising at least: particles wherein silicon nanoparticles are dispersed in silicon oxide (silicon oxide particles); and a metal oxide coating formed on a surface of the silicon oxide particles. As a result, there is provided a negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries that enables the production of a negative electrode suitable for lithium-ion secondary batteries and the like that provides improved safety and cycle performance over conventional negative electrode materials.