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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Champion (disputed, also linked to 'cloud' or 'passionate')
- Origin
- Irish
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- NEEL
Neil is an Irish name, said NEEL. Its meaning is debated — most trace it to "champion," though some link it to "cloud" or "passionate" instead. It has a clean, no-frills feel that fits right in among today's shorter, simpler names.
Meaning & Origin of Neil
Meaning: Champion (disputed, also linked to 'cloud' or 'passionate').
Origin: Irish.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Neil
NEELIPA /ˈniːl/
Popularity of Neil
Neil peaked at #146 in 1953, when 1,937 boys were given the name — by 2024 it had fallen to #863, with 278 boys named Neil that year.
Names Like Neil
These names share Neil’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Neil mean?
Champion (disputed, also linked to ‘cloud’ or ‘passionate’). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Neil?
Neil is pronounced NEEL (IPA: /ˈniːl/).
Is Neil a popular name right now?
Neil peaked at #146 in 1953 and is ranked #863 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Neil Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Neil, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Neil? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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