Declining since 1985, #1,906 for boys today.
Popularity of Neal since 1880
Babies named Neal per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Neal's real moment was 1952.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 361 |
| 1890s | 373 |
| 1900s | 456 |
| 1910s | 1,943 |
| 1920s | 3,858 |
| 1930s | 4,083 |
| 1940s | 6,158 |
| 1950s | 10,735 |
| 1960s | 9,361 |
| 1970s | 6,011 |
| 1980s | 5,426 |
| 1990s | 3,143 |
| 2000s | 1,371 |
| 2010s | 1,191 |
| 2020s | 578 |
Meaning & origin
The name Neal, an anglicized form of the Irish name Niall, has a long history. It first appears in U.S. records in 1880 and saw its peak popularity in 1952. Since around 1985, its use has been declining, and in the latest year it ranked 1906th with a frequency of 1 in 20,830. The name was especially common in New York and Texas. Its meaning is uncertain, with possible interpretations of 'champion' or 'cloud', reflecting its ancient Irish origins.
Neal is an anglicized form of the Irish name Niall, whose meaning is debated. It may derive from the Old Irish word 'niadh' meaning 'champion' or 'niul' meaning 'cloud'. The name has been used in Ireland since ancient times, borne by the legendary High King Niall of the Nine Hostages. It spread to England and Scotland and became common in the English-speaking world, especially in the 20th century.
Where Neal is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Neal” around the world
Where Neal lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Neil
Sibling names for Neal
Names that share Neal's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Neal
Names whose popularity has moved with Neal's over the last 50 years.
