Neil Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Neil is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Neil?
Neil is spelled N-E-I-L. The name has 4 letters.
Neil at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Neil is commonly associated with meanings such as “champion” or “cloud,” reflecting its Gaelic roots.
- Origin
- Neil may derive from the Gaelic name Niall, which has uncertain etymology but is often linked to meanings like “champion” or “passionate.”
- Pronunciation
- neel · 1 syllable
Neil Popularity in 2025
Rank#850
Recorded Births288
- Boys usage rose 12 places to #850 and recorded 8 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Neil Mean?
Neil is commonly associated with meanings such as “champion” or “cloud,” reflecting its Gaelic roots.
Origin: Neil may derive from the Gaelic name Niall, which has uncertain etymology but is often linked to meanings like “champion” or “passionate.”
How Do You Pronounce Neil?
Pronunciationneel
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Neil?
- History
- Neil has been used as a given name in Gaelic-speaking regions and appears in historical records connected to Irish and Scottish heritage.
Neil Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 288 | #850 |
| 2024 | Boys | 280 | #862 |
| 2023 | Boys | 305 | #806 |
| 2022 | Boys | 330 | #765 |
| 2021 | Boys | 360 | #719 |
| 2020 | Boys | 324 | #748 |
| 2019 | Boys | 422 | #637 |
| 2018 | Boys | 427 | #624 |
| 2017 | Boys | 422 | #618 |
| 2016 | Boys | 425 | #629 |
| 2015 | Boys | 414 | #641 |
| 2014 | Boys | 397 | #656 |
| 2013 | Boys | 394 | #623 |
| 2012 | Boys | 391 | #620 |
| 2011 | Boys | 358 | #655 |
| 2010 | Boys | 342 | #686 |
| 2009 | Boys | 396 | #630 |
| 2008 | Boys | 327 | #712 |
| 2007 | Boys | 305 | #741 |
| 2006 | Boys | 398 | #605 |
| 2005 | Boys | 380 | #594 |
| 2004 | Boys | 338 | #624 |
| 2003 | Boys | 384 | #575 |
| 2002 | Boys | 381 | #574 |
When Was Neil Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1954 · Boys
1,959 recorded births
National rank #147
1953 · Boys
1,937 recorded births
National rank #146
1952 · Boys
1,904 recorded births
National rank #147
1955 · Boys
1,785 recorded births
National rank #159
Where Neil Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| NJ | #452 | 17 |
| UT | #473 | 9 |
| WA | #474 | 15 |
| VA | #497 | 15 |
| OR | #529 | 6 |
| MA | #555 | 8 |
| WI | #570 | 8 |
| MI | #601 | 13 |