How Many People Are Named Neil?
Complete statistics for the name Neil: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Neil means 'cloud' and has origins in Old Irish, making it a rare gem among male names. That's just 1 in 4,644 Americans who carry this distinctive moniker, highlighting its unique charm. With most Nials over 60, it's clear this is an old-school favorite, holding strong through the decades.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Traditionally, life-path number 22 is seen as a powerful and transformative force, symbolizing leadership and vision.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 62All 104,942 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1954Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Stable
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Neil Through the Generations
Neil has been a steady presence in American naming trends since the mid-20th century, peaking in popularity in 1954 with 1,964 births. Today, there are around 71,067 people named Neil living in the United States, reflecting a stable trend over the years. The age distribution reveals a significant skew towards older generations, with 55% of Nials being over 60, indicating that it's predominantly a name associated with the baby boomer era.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Neil
Neil is a masculine name of Irish origin. The name is an anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion". Most authorities cite the meaning of Neil in the context of a surname as meaning "champion".…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Neil's Old Irish roots
📄 About the Name Neil
How Many People Have the Name Neil?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 9,424 people in the United States currently share the name Neil. That works out to roughly 1 in every 35,171 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Neil a Common or Rare Name?
Neil is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Neil Mean?
Neil means "cloud" and comes from Old Irish origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 22.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Neil in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Neil Most Popular?
The name Neil reached peak popularity in 1954, with 1,964 babies registered that year. Current trend: Stable.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Neil?
Approximately 9,424 people named Neil live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 9,424. That works out to roughly 1 in 35,171 Americans.
Is Neil a rare name?
Neil is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 35,171 Americans has this name.
What does the name Neil mean?
Neil means "cloud" and comes from Old Irish origins.
Is Neil more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Neil are male and 0% are female.
When was Neil most popular?
Neil peaked in 1954 with 1,964 births that year. Current trend: Stable.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.