Find out how popular the first name Nial has been for the last 39 years (from 1985 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nial by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Nial is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nial.

The history of the first name Nial

The given name Nial finds its origins in the Irish Gaelic language. It is a derivative of the Old Irish word "niall" which means "champion" or "cloud". The name can be traced back to the 5th century AD and was predominantly used in Ireland and Scotland during the medieval period.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Niall Noígiallach, an Irish king who ruled in the 5th century AD and is considered a key figure in Irish mythology and folklore. He was known as Niall of the Nine Hostages and is believed to be the progenitor of the Uí Néill dynasty that ruled much of Ireland for several centuries.

In the 7th century, the name appears in the Irish Annals, which record the deeds of a King Nial Frasach who reigned in the early part of the century. This Nial is noted for his conflict with the Pictish people in what is now Scotland.

Another notable bearer of the name was Niall Glúndub, an Irish king who ruled in the 10th century. He is remembered for his military campaigns against the Vikings and his efforts to unite the various Irish kingdoms under his rule.

In the 12th century, the name appears in the Icelandic saga Njáls saga, which tells the story of a Norwegian settler in Iceland named Njáll Þorgeirsson. The saga is considered one of the greatest works of Icelandic literature and provides insight into the cultural and legal traditions of the time.

Moving forward in history, Sir Niall Campbell was a Scottish nobleman who lived in the 16th century and played a prominent role in the Scottish Reformation. He was a staunch supporter of the Protestant cause and a close ally of John Knox, the renowned Scottish reformer.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who bore the name Nial or one of its variants. While the name has its roots in Irish and Scottish culture, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and regions over the centuries.

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 Nial was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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