N
NamyLab

Neil

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Champion or Cloud"

Anglicized from Gaelic Niall and related forms, its precise etymology is uncertain, often glossed as champion or cloud.

Themes:gaelicchampionscottishtraditional
StrongPowerfulBold

Fact-checked by Marcus Chen

B.A. Anthropology, UC BerkeleyMultilingual (4 languages)Cultural Research Fellow • Senior Name Researcher

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Neil

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#863Top 1000

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#863

Neil was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-57

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Neil Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Neil.

8 ideas
neiy
Nickname
neil
Nickname
nie
Nickname
ny
Nickname
no
Nickname
ne
Nickname
NE
Nickname
neilie
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Neil

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Neil, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

16 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Neil mean?
Neil means "Champion or Cloud". Anglicized from Gaelic Niall and related forms, its precise etymology is uncertain, often glossed as champion or cloud.
What is the origin of Neil?
Neil is of Irish origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Neil?
According to the latest SSA data, Neil is currently ranked #863 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Neil a boy name?
Neil is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Neil?
Popular nicknames for Neil include neiy, neil, nie, ny, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Neil?
There are many names similar to Neil in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginIrish, Scottish
Syllables1
Length4 letters
US Rank#863
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withN

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Neil

Neil has Irish roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Irish baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Neil appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Beautiful Irish Baby Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean Travel And Adventure for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Neil pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Neil beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.