Declining since 2017, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Neilan since 1922
Babies named Neilan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 15 |
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 94 |
| 2020s | 41 |
Meaning & origin
Neilan is an infrequently used Irish-derived name that has seen modest but declining usage since its peak year of 2017, when it ranked 9,714th. At that time, approximately 1 in 244,011 boys were named Neilan. The name has never appeared in top state rankings, reflecting its rarity. Its trajectory has been falling since 2017, indicating a downturn in recent years. First recorded in 1922, Neilan has maintained a low but persistent presence in American naming, likely appealing to families seeking an alternative to more common Irish names like Neil or Niall.
Neilan is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Néill, meaning 'descendant of Niall'. Niall is an ancient Irish name of debated etymology, often linked to the Old Irish 'níall' meaning 'champion' or 'cloud'. The name has been in use as a given name since the early 20th century, primarily in Ireland and the United States.
“Neilan” around the world
Where Neilan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Neil, Niel
Variants: Nealon, Nielan, O'Neilan
Sibling names for Neilan
Names that share Neilan's style, for a brother or sister.
