Is Neal a boy's or girl's name?

Neal is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 257 recorded births.

When was Neal most popular?

Neal reached its peak popularity in 1959 with 1,223 births that year. It is currently ranked #2002 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Neal?

Neal is currently ranked #2002 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 54,960 babies since 1880.

Neal

A Irish name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsIrishDeclining Also a pet name

#2002▼ 262in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname from Irish [in turn originating as a patronymic] derived from Niall.

Neal is a boy's and girl's baby name of Irish origin, an English spelling of the Irish Niall, meaning 'champion' or 'cloud.' The Uí Néill dynasty — descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages — dominated Irish politics for centuries, making this one of Ireland's most royal names.

With nearly 55,000 U.S. births, Neal has had a long, distinguished run in America — straightforward and strong, it carries centuries of Irish royal heritage in the simplest possible package.

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Popularity Over Time

Neal was #1332 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #2002, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Neal
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	496	#1700	▼
2010s	1,190	#1445	▼
2000s	1,369	#1205	▼
1990s	3,143	#611	▼
1980s	5,426	#357	—
1970s	6,011	#311	▼
1960s	9,360	#250	▼
1950s	10,733	#216	▲
1940s	6,158	#240	▲
1930s	4,083	#270	▲
1920s	3,858	#290	▲
1910s	1,943	#335	▲
1900s	456	#305	▲
1890s	373	#294	▲
1880s	361	#283	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Neal
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	77	#2002	-18 (-18.9%)
2023	95	#1740	-15 (-13.6%)
2022	110	#1603	0
2021	110	#1582	+6 (5.8%)
2020	104	#1571	-14 (-11.9%)
2019	118	#1470	+16 (15.7%)
2018	102	#1614	-29 (-22.1%)
2017	131	#1363	-21 (-13.8%)
2016	152	#1231	0
2015	152	#1213	+32 (26.7%)
2014	120	#1409	+21 (21.2%)
2013	99	#1575	-6 (-5.7%)
2012	105	#1530	+8 (8.2%)
2011	97	#1595	-17 (-14.9%)
2010	114	#1452	+1 (0.9%)
2009	113	#1480	+1 (0.9%)
2008	112	#1474	-4 (-3.4%)
2007	116	#1409	-22 (-15.9%)
2006	138	#1222	+7 (5.3%)
2005	131	#1214	+20 (18.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Neal as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Neal has also been given to 257 girls in the U.S. since 1901.

Unranked

Current rank

257

Total births

1912

Peak year

Compare Neal as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Neal be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Neal is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #2002. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Neal has two lives

Neal, the baby name

#2002boys

54,960 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology