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Neal

Boy

Meaning of Neal: Irish: 'champion'

Neal is a boy's name most strongly associated with Irish naming. It has 4 letters and 1 syllable, and it is familiar but far from overused — 1902nd most popular boys' name in the United States in 2025.

US rank 2025

#1902

82 babies in 2025

England & Wales 2024

—

Fewer than 3 babies or unlisted

US babies since 1880

55,305

First recorded 1880 · peak 1959

Trend

falling

Style: uncommon

Popularity over time

1981: 596 babies1982: 556 babies1983: 578 babies1984: 566 babies1985: 562 babies1986: 548 babies1987: 456 babies1988: 460 babies1989: 522 babies1990: 463 babies19901991: 444 babies1992: 396 babies1993: 384 babies1994: 294 babies1995: 258 babies1996: 262 babies1997: 246 babies1998: 210 babies1999: 186 babies2000: 178 babies20002001: 172 babies2002: 169 babies2003: 129 babies2004: 112 babies2005: 131 babies2006: 139 babies2007: 116 babies2008: 112 babies2009: 113 babies2010: 114 babies20102011: 97 babies2012: 105 babies2013: 99 babies2014: 120 babies2015: 152 babies2016: 152 babies2017: 132 babies2018: 102 babies2019: 118 babies2020: 104 babies20202021: 110 babies2022: 110 babies2023: 95 babies2024: 77 babies2025: 82 babies
US babies named Neal per year (Social Security Administration). Peak bar = 596.

Gender split

100% boys · 0% girls, based on US, UK and international usage.

Origins & cultures

More Irish boys' names

Other names starting with N