Neel
Neel was the 1581st most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 108 babies. Its best year was 2009, when it ranked 1216th with 148 babies. Over the last ten years it has moved up 82 places. More babies were named Neel in the 2010s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Neil) from Irish Niall (meaning uncertain) · Irish
- Rank in 2025
- #1,581 boys, up 229 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 108boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 2009148 babies
- Total since 1880
- 3,392babies recorded
What does the name Neel mean?
Neel 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)
Neel popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #1,581 | 108 |
| 2020 | #1,810 | 83 |
| 2010 | #1,254 | 140 |
| 2000 | #1,534 | 79 |
| 1990 | #2,415 | 29 |
| 1980 | #2,420 | 21 |
| 1970 | #5,221 | 5 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1930 | #4,380 | 5 |
| 1920 | #4,135 | 6 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Neel, counting every spelling?
Neel is a spelling of Neil, a name family that ranked #432 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #1,581 for Neel 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 Neel?
108 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Neel (0.03 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Neel 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 78 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Neel.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Neel?
About 3,300 people born in the US named Neel are alive today, with a median age of 17; half are between 10 and 27. That makes Neel mostly worn by children and young adults.
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.
Neel by state
How common Neel was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in Washington (3.6×), New Jersey (3.1×), California (2.1×). In 40 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 Neel: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Neel, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Neel
What does Neel mean?
Neel is a spelling of Neil, usually explained as “from Irish Niall (meaning uncertain)”, but this is uncertain. Certainty: uncertain.
How popular is the name Neel?
Neel was the 1581st most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 108 babies. Its best year was 2009, when it ranked 1216th with 148 babies. Over the last ten years it has moved up 82 places. More babies were named Neel in the 2010s than in any other decade.
Is Neel a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Neel in the US.
Where is Neel most popular?
In 2021–2025, Neel was most common in Washington (0.19 per 1,000 boys), followed by New Jersey and California.