Neal
Neal was the 1914th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 82 babies. Its best year was 1952, when it ranked 198th; the most babies were born in 1959 (1,222). Over the last ten years it has moved down 701 places. More babies were named Neal in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Neil) from Irish Niall (meaning uncertain) · Irish
- Rank in 2025
- #1,914 boys, down 342 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 82boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 19591,222 babies
- Total since 1880
- 55,305babies recorded
What does the name Neal mean?
Neal is a spelling of Neil, pronounced the same way, so it shares Neil's meaning and origin.
Neil is the anglicized form of the Irish name Niall, borne by Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary high king who gave his name to the Uí Néill dynasties. The meaning of Niall is uncertain: it has been connected with words for 'champion', 'cloud' and 'passion', and none is accepted. Norse settlers borrowed the name as Njáll, and the Normans brought a form of it to England, where it also produced Nigel. Astronaut Neil Armstrong is a famous bearer.
Niall (Old Irish, “personal name”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. Proposed meanings ('champion', 'cloud', 'passionate') are speculative.
Other explanations you may read: Niall means 'champion'.
Related names: Niall, Neal, Neill, Nigel, Nelson.
See also: Irish names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Neil', Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- Wiktionary, entry 'Niall', Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
Neal popularity since 1880
A few girls are given the name too: 257 since 1901.
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #1,914 | 82 |
| 2020 | #1,572 | 104 |
| 2010 | #1,453 | 114 |
| 2000 | #888 | 178 |
| 1990 | #460 | 463 |
| 1980 | #323 | 592 |
| 1970 | #289 | 718 |
| 1960 | #233 | 1,192 |
| 1950 | #217 | 848 |
| 1940 | #239 | 506 |
| 1930 | #292 | 381 |
| 1920 | #293 | 371 |
| 1910 | #307 | 65 |
| 1900 | #270 | 58 |
| 1890 | #273 | 40 |
| 1880 | #257 | 43 |
How popular is Neal, counting every spelling?
Neal is a spelling of Neil, a name family that ranked #432 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #1,914 for Neal on its own. Together these spellings went to 746 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neil | 288 | #851 | 1,563 |
| Nael | 263 | #905 | 868 |
| Neal | 82 | #1,914 | 474 |
| Neel | 108 | #1,581 | 459 |
| Niel | 5 | #13,333 | 28 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How many kids will share the name Neal?
82 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Neal (0.02 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Neal born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 102 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Neal.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Neal?
About 34,500 people born in the US named Neal are alive today, with a median age of 58; half are between 42 and 68. That makes Neal a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Neal by state
How common Neal was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. In 35 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Neal: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Neal, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Neal
What does Neal mean?
Neal is a spelling of Neil, usually explained as “from Irish Niall (meaning uncertain)”, but this is uncertain. Certainty: uncertain.
How popular is the name Neal?
Neal was the 1914th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 82 babies. Its best year was 1952, when it ranked 198th; the most babies were born in 1959 (1,222). Over the last ten years it has moved down 701 places. More babies were named Neal in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Is Neal a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Neal in the US.
Where is Neal most popular?
In 2021–2025, Neal was most common in Missouri (0.07 per 1,000 boys), followed by New York and Utah.