Neil
Say it: NEEL/niːl/
BoyMeans disputed; often given as "champion" or "cloud"4 letters1 syllable
#372
in Ireland (2025)
#360 with spellings combined
10
babies in 2025
#55
best rank (1978)
3,666
babies since 1964
Up 37
10-year rank change
Neil through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #360 |
| 2024 | 13 | #293 |
| 2023 | 8 | #426 |
| 2022 | 13 | #320 |
| 2021 | 8 | #400 |
| 2020 | 6 | #472 |
| 2019 | 7 | #446 |
| 2018 | 8 | #411 |
| 2017 | 13 | #317 |
| 2016 | 6 | #491 |
| 2015 | 9 | #397 |
| 2014 | 15 | #302 |
| 2013 | 13 | #317 |
| 2012 | 16 | #290 |
| 2011 | 14 | #308 |
| 2010 | 25 | #220 |
| 2009 | 11 | #337 |
| 2008 | 23 | #225 |
| 2007 | 24 | #201 |
| 2006 | 22 | #197 |
| 2005 | 27 | #165 |
| 2004 | 28 | #151 |
| 2003 | 32 | #134 |
| 2002 | 34 | #129 |
| 2001 | 32 | #131 |
| 2000 | 46 | #104 |
| 1999 | 47 | #97 |
| 1998 | 39 | #107 |
| 1997 | 43 | #115 |
| 1996 | 47 | #110 |
| 1995 | 62 | #86 |
| 1994 | 73 | #83 |
| 1993 | 78 | #79 |
| 1992 | 73 | #83 |
| 1991 | 79 | #81 |
| 1990 | 82 | #81 |
| 1989 | 94 | #71 |
| 1988 | 88 | #75 |
| 1987 | 106 | #68 |
| 1986 | 102 | #75 |
| 1985 | 112 | #66 |
| 1984 | 146 | #58 |
| 1983 | 120 | #66 |
| 1982 | 162 | #56 |
| 1981 | 144 | #64 |
| 1980 | 137 | #65 |
| 1979 | 153 | #62 |
| 1978 | 180 | #55 |
| 1977 | 157 | #59 |
| 1976 | 100 | #77 |
| 1975 | 98 | #77 |
| 1974 | 98 | #73 |
| 1973 | 98 | #79 |
| 1972 | 70 | #93 |
| 1971 | 65 | #98 |
| 1970 | 38 | #108 |
| 1969 | 83 | #74 |
| 1968 | 33 | #103 |
| 1967 | 50 | #86 |
| 1966 | 58 | #81 |
| 1965 | 45 | #88 |
| 1964 | 43 | #82 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Neil mean?
Disputed; often given as "champion" or "cloud"
English form of the Irish name Niall.
Say it right
NEEL
Not:NAIL
The story of Neil
Neil is an English form of the Irish name Niall. The meaning of Niall is disputed. Suggestions include “cloud”, “passionate”, “honour” and “champion”, and none has won out. It is also spelled Neal, Neale and Neill.
The surnames Neilson and Nelson grew out of it. The best-known bearer worldwide is probably Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon.
In Ireland Neil was a regular choice for decades. It peaked in 1978 with 180 boys, at number 55. It has become much less common, with 10 boys in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Neil (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Neil
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Neil | 10 | 3,666 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #84 (1997); 207 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.