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

Popularity of Niel by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Niel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Niel.

The history of the first name Niel

The name Niel is derived from the Gaelic name Niall, which originated in Ireland. The name Niall comes from the old Irish word "nīae," meaning "champion" or "cloud." It is believed to have been in use as early as the 5th century AD.

In Irish mythology, Niall Noígiallach, also known as Niall of the Nine Hostages, was a legendary Irish king who ruled in the 5th century. He was said to have been the ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasties that dominated much of Ireland for several centuries.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Niel can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The Annals mention a Niel who was the son of Áed, King of Ailech, in the late 8th century.

Niel has been a relatively uncommon name throughout history, but there have been a few notable individuals who bore the name. One of the most famous was Niel Gow (1727-1807), a Scottish fiddle player and composer who was a major figure in the revival of Scottish traditional music in the 18th century.

Another notable Niel was Niel de Planterose, a 13th-century French crusader and knight who fought in the Eighth Crusade and the Ninth Crusade against the Moors in Spain and the Muslims in the Holy Land.

In the world of literature, Niel Kleit (1910-1997) was an American poet and translator who is best known for his translations of works by the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova.

Niel 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.

Finally, Niel Bohr (1885-1962) was a Danish physicist who made foundational contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum mechanics, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922.

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

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

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