Neville
Primarily a boy's name of Old French origin with 2,330 recorded births. Also given to 75 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Old French.
Neville is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin meaning 'new town' or 'new village,' brought to England by Norman settlers after 1066. The Neville family became one of medieval England's most powerful noble houses, with figures like Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick — known as 'the Kingmaker.'
In contemporary culture, Neville Longbottom of Harry Potter transformed the name's image — from stuffy aristocrat to quietly courageous hero. A name that grows on you, much like the character himself.
EtymologyShow more
Neville first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1905. Its appearance in the 1900s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
Its Old French classification suggests a path from old french linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Neville was #4944 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #10563, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 47 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 143 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 135 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 247 | — |
| 1980s | 268 | — |
| 1970s | 273 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 239 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 199 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 159 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 233 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 225 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 145 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 17 | — |
The Story of Neville
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1975, Neville is a Gen X staple. Boys named Neville are most likely born between 1965 and 1985.
How rare is Neville?
Only about 1 in every 514,286 babies born in 2024 was named Neville — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1905, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 273 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Neville by the numbers
- Would fill 49 school buses
- Meeting one Neville per day would take 6.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(115 years, 1905–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | #10563 |
| 2022 | 11 | #7593 |
| 2021 | 9 | #8633 |
| 2020 | 20 | #4807 |
| 2019 | 19 | #5100 |
| 2018 | 10 | #7992 |
| 2017 | 13 | #6560 |
| 2016 | 17 | #5479 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5451 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7395 |
| 2013 | 14 | #6148 |
| 2012 | 19 | #4984 |
| 2011 | 8 | #9359 |
| 2010 | 15 | #5950 |
| 2009 | 11 | #7558 |
| 2008 | 9 | #8801 |
| 2007 | 15 | #5834 |
| 2006 | 9 | #8532 |
| 2005 | 18 | #4769 |
| 2004 | 17 | #4944 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Neville as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Neville has also been given to 75 girls in the U.S. since 1912.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Neville a boy's or girl's name?
When was Neville most popular?
How popular is the name Neville?
Can Neville be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1905–2024