Neil
Neil is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Champion, passion, or cloud.
Origin and history
Neil is a masculine name of Gaelic origin, derived from Niall, which traditionally means 'champion' or 'cloud'. It gained widespread recognition in the English-speaking world during the 20th century. Although its U.S. popularity has dipped in recent decades, it remains a recognized classic.
Popularity in the United States
104,869 babies in the United States have been named Neil since 1880. It ranks #305 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #755.
States where it is most popular
- NY (14.2 %)
- CA (9 %)
- PA (6.6 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 217 |
| 1890-1900 | 313 |
| 1900-1910 | 398 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,424 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,688 |
| 1930-1940 | 9,466 |
| 1940-1950 | 12,427 |
| 1950-1960 | 17,715 |
| 1960-1970 | 13,668 |
| 1970-1980 | 14,040 |
| 1980-1990 | 11,833 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,987 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,814 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,992 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,887 |
Famous people named Neil
- Neil Armstrong: Astronaut, Aviator
- Neil deGrasse Tyson: Astrophysicist, Author
- Neil Young: Musician, Singer-Songwriter
Fun facts
- American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon in 1969.
- The name traces back to the ancient Gaelic name Niall, associated with the early high kings of Ireland.