Neil
Neil: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /niːl/
Meaning and origin of Neil
- A male given name from Irish.
- A surname from Irish derived from the given name.
Etymology
Anglicized form of Goidelic/Irish Niall. Doublet of Niall.
How popular is Neil?
Since 1880, 385 girls and 104,869 boys in the U.S. have been named Neil (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3327 in 1933. Its highest rank for boys was #146 in 1953. In 2025 it ranked #851 for boys, with 288 babies given the name.
Names similar to Neil
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Irish boy names
Sibling name ideas for Neil
Sister and brother names that share Neil's Irish roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Neil FAQ
What does the name Neil mean?
A male given name from Irish. A surname from Irish derived from the given name. Anglicized form of Goidelic/Irish Niall. Doublet of Niall.
What is the origin of the name Neil?
Neil is listed as a name of Irish origin.
How popular is the name Neil?
Since 1880, 385 girls and 104,869 boys in the U.S. have been named Neil (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3327 in 1933. Its highest rank for boys was #146 in 1953. In 2025 it ranked #851 for boys, with 288 babies given the name.
Is Neil a boy or girl name?
Neil is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 385 girls and 104,869 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.