Baby Name Popularity Profile

Neil

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Neil.

✦ Cloud, champion 🌍 Irish traditional
National Rank (2025) #851
All-Time Peak Rank #146 Achieved 1953
Total U.S. Births 104,869 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 100.0% Boy / 0.0% Girl Male Archetype
First Recorded 1880 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 1950s 1,959 births in 1954
💡 The Neil Vibe: Considered a Declining Classic. A previously dominant name currently experiencing a prolonged generational cooling period.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Cloud, champion
Language Origin Irish
Origin Type single
Derived from the Old Irish name Niall, which is thought to mean 'cloud' or 'champion'.
Alternative Spellings
Neal Niall
Pronunciation: NEEL
Themes & Categories
traditional
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Neil

According to SSA data, Neil achieved its highest historical rank of #146 in 1953. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1954 with 1,959 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 30.4%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Neil across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Declining
10-Year Shift -30.4% Decline
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 1,959 births in 1954
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 120 yrs
Registry Streak 146 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 217
1890s: 313
1900s: 398
1910s: 2,424
1920s: 5,688
1930s: 9,466
1940s: 12,427
1950s: 17,715
1960s: 13,668
1970s: 14,040
1980s: 11,833
1990s: 6,987
2000s: 3,814
2010s: 3,992
2020s: 1,887

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Neil
Letter Count 4 letters
Spelling Complexity Easy
Length Percentile Longer than 1.4% of names
Linguistic Profile: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 1.4% of SSA names. Starts with N, a letter used by only 3.6% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Neil.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State North Dakota
Top States North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York
States with Data 51
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
North Dakota Unranked 865 1952 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota Unranked 726 1951 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota #779 3,438 1953 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts #603 4,534 1958 Insufficient historical volume
New York #831 14,195 1952 Insufficient historical volume
Montana Unranked 546 1954 Insufficient historical volume
Vermont Unranked 308 1954 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #607 3,170 1951 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #462 4,279 1954 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho Unranked 611 1949 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut Unranked 1,609 1959 Insufficient historical volume
Maine Unranked 638 1950 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #503 1,183 1933 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #491 2,319 1954 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska Unranked 1,046 1953 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa Unranked 1,846 1952 Insufficient historical volume
Rhode Island Unranked 497 1978 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #627 5,050 1952 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #577 1,145 1954 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #897 6,593 1954 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #781 5,523 1952 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 366 1969 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #848 5,376 1969 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire Unranked 332 1970 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas Unranked 1,099 1956 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana Unranked 2,357 1986 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland Unranked 1,436 1961 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #821 1,124 1973 Insufficient historical volume
California #727 8,975 1978 21.3% Decline
Wyoming Unranked 117 1956 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 379 1953 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri Unranked 1,798 1980 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #513 1,592 1970 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #754 1,812 1971 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #1582 2,153 1985 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia Unranked 562 1932 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana Unranked 1,048 1976 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona Unranked 688 1977 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma Unranked 726 1932 Insufficient historical volume
Alaska Unranked 71 1981 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky Unranked 789 1979 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #1486 1,170 1970 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #889 3,130 1978 +11.5% Growth
Tennessee #1141 865 1970 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico Unranked 208 1974 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas Unranked 391 1950 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #844 620 1969 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina Unranked 485 1953 Insufficient historical volume
Delaware Unranked 57 1953 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada Unranked 70 1980 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi Unranked 224 1979 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Ray Keith Rex Roger Ricky Douglas Stanley Frankie Paul Carl
👧 Sister Suggestions
Julie Deborah Anne Gwen Lynn Lark Raye Jaye Gail Dale

🔗 Names You Might Also Like

Based on statistical similarity and shared characteristics with Neil:

Demographic & Volume Peers
Neal Niel Neill Nael Neel Norm Noel Carl Niall Paul
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