Neill
Neill was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1940, when it ranked 1200th; the most babies were born in 1950 (36). More babies were named Neill in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Neil) from Irish Niall (meaning uncertain) · Irish
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 195036 babies
- Total since 1880
- 1,834babies recorded
What does the name Neill mean?
Neill 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)
Neill popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #9,300 | 8 |
| 2010 | #11,765 | 6 |
| 2000 | #8,847 | 7 |
| 1990 | #2,928 | 22 |
| 1980 | #1,895 | 30 |
| 1970 | #1,972 | 21 |
| 1960 | #2,179 | 15 |
| 1950 | #1,215 | 36 |
| 1940 | #1,200 | 32 |
| 1930 | #2,406 | 12 |
| 1920 | #2,305 | 14 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Neill, counting every spelling?
Neill is a spelling of Neil, a name family that ranked #432 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. 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 old are people named Neill?
About 1,100 people born in the US named Neill are alive today, with a median age of 52; half are between 40 and 69. That makes Neill mostly worn by adults in their thirties to fifties.
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.
Neill by state
How common Neill was among boys born in each state in 1948–1952, around its peak. In 49 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 Neill: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Neill, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Neill
What does Neill mean?
Neill is a spelling of Neil, usually explained as “from Irish Niall (meaning uncertain)”, but this is uncertain. Certainty: uncertain.
How popular is the name Neill?
Neill was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1940, when it ranked 1200th; the most babies were born in 1950 (36). More babies were named Neill in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Is Neill a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Neill in the US.
Where was Neill most popular?
In 1948–1952, Neill was most common in New York (0.02 per 1,000 boys), followed by California and California.