Neil first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Neil has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Neil

Of English origin meaning "cloud" or "champion".

Popularity of Neil by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Neil is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Neil being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 302 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Neil.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 302 0
2022 328 0
2021 360 0
2020 324 0
2019 422 0
2018 425 0
2017 422 0
2016 425 0
2015 414 0
2014 397 0
2013 393 0
2012 391 0
2011 358 0
2010 342 0
2009 396 0
2008 327 0
2007 305 0
2006 398 0
2005 379 0
2004 338 0
2003 384 0
2002 381 0
2001 443 0
2000 462 0
1999 490 0
1998 489 0
1997 526 0
1996 578 0
1995 678 0
1994 703 0
1993 783 0
1992 791 0
1991 917 0
1990 1,029 5
1989 1,027 9
1988 999 7
1987 1,078 6
1986 1,152 7
1985 1,206 11
1984 1,126 6
1983 1,226 12
1982 1,343 10
1981 1,332 13
1980 1,348 12
1979 1,486 5
1978 1,527 10
1977 1,431 5
1976 1,354 8
1975 1,331 11
1974 1,324 6

The history of the first name Neil

The name Neil has its origins in the Gaelic language, derived from the Irish word "Niall" or "Nial," which means "champion" or "cloud." It traces its roots back to ancient Celtic cultures and is believed to have first emerged in Ireland and Scotland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in ancient Irish texts and legends, where it was borne by several Irish kings and warriors. The name gained prominence with the legendary High King of Ireland, Niall Noígiallach, who ruled in the 5th century AD and is renowned for his military conquests and the establishment of the Uí Néill dynasty.

The name Neil has a rich history in the British Isles and has been associated with several notable figures throughout the centuries. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is Niall of the Nine Hostages (c. 379-405 AD), an Irish king known for his military campaigns and the expansion of his territory across Ireland and parts of Britain.

Another prominent figure bearing the name was Neil Gow (1727-1807), a Scottish violinist and composer who played a significant role in preserving and promoting traditional Scottish music. His compositions and arrangements have left a lasting legacy in the realm of Scottish folk music.

In the realm of literature, Neil Gunn (1891-1973) was a celebrated Scottish novelist and playwright known for his works that explored themes of Scottish identity and the relationship between humans and nature. His novel "The Serpent" is considered a classic of Scottish literature.

The name Neil has also been associated with scientific and technological advancements. Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who became the first person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, uttering the iconic phrase, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

In the world of music, Neil Young (born 1945) is a renowned Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist, known for his influential work across various genres, including folk, rock, and country. He has been a prominent figure in the music industry for over five decades and continues to inspire generations of musicians.

While the name Neil has its roots in ancient Celtic cultures, it has transcended its origins and has been embraced across various regions and cultures, carrying with it a rich history and a legacy of notable individuals who have left an indelible mark on their respective fields.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Neil was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Neil, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Neil first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/neil-meaning-and-history/.

"Neil first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/neil-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Neil first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/neil-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.