Neev
A Hebrew name meaning "sprout" or "bud of a plant".
Name Census estimates that about 851 living Americans carry the first name Neev. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Neev today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Neev births was 2024 (70 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Neev. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
851
~ 1 in 402,767 Americans
Peak year
2024
70 babies that year
Average age
10
years old
2024 SSA rank
#2,120
Tracked since 2001
Popularity
Neev: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Neev from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 447 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Neev remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Neev by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Neev during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Neevs live
The SSA's state-level files cover 8 states and territories. California, New Jersey, Texas recorded the most babies named Neev, while Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 45 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Neev
Neev is a relatively modern name that has its origins in the Hebrew language. The name is derived from the Hebrew word "navah," which means "dwelling" or "abode." It is believed to have emerged as a given name in the late 20th century, likely inspired by the increasing popularity of Hebrew names among certain communities.
While the name itself does not have a long historical lineage, its roots can be traced back to ancient Hebrew texts and scriptures. The concept of "navah" is mentioned in various contexts, often referring to the idea of a peaceful and secure dwelling place. This association with a safe haven or a place of refuge may have contributed to the name's appeal.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Neev can be found in the works of Israeli author and poet Yehuda Amichai, who was born in 1924 and passed away in 2000. Amichai's writings often explored themes of identity, belonging, and the human experience, which may have resonated with the meaning of "navah."
Another notable figure who bore the name Neev was Neev Sopher, an Israeli artist and sculptor known for his intricate metal sculptures. Sopher, who lived from 1937 to 2018, gained recognition for his unique style and his ability to capture movement and energy in his works.
In the realm of academia, Neev Sharon is a renowned Israeli archaeologist and professor who has made significant contributions to the study of ancient Near Eastern cultures. Sharon, born in 1945, has led numerous excavations and has authored several books on the subject.
Neev Elkin, an Israeli politician and former member of the Knesset (Israeli parliament), also carried this name. Elkin, born in 1981, served as the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Environmental Protection in the Israeli government.
While the name Neev may be relatively new, its Hebrew roots and associations with concepts of dwelling and refuge have likely contributed to its growing popularity in recent years. As with many modern names, its usage and potential historical significance will continue to evolve over time.
People
Neev + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Neev as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Neev: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Neev?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 851 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Neev going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 402,767 US residents.
Is Neev a common name?
We classify Neev as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 858 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Neev most popular?
The single biggest year for Neev was 2024, when 70 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Neev is about 10 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Neev a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Neev in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.