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Niel

Boy

Meaning of Niel: Irish: 'passionate' or 'champion'

Niel is a boy's name most strongly associated with Irish naming. It has 4 letters and 1 syllable, and it is a genuinely rare and unique choice — 12186th most popular boys' name in the United States in 2025.

US rank 2025

#12186

5 babies in 2025

England & Wales 2024

—

Fewer than 3 babies or unlisted

US babies since 1880

1,384

First recorded 1913 · peak 1958

Trend

stable

Style: rare

Popularity over time

1981: 12 babies1982: 13 babies1983: 7 babies1984: 16 babies1985: 13 babies1986: 15 babies1987: 13 babies1988: 10 babies1989: 9 babies1990: 9 babies19901991: 7 babies1992: 11 babies1993: 9 babies1994: 14 babies1995: 7 babies1996: 10 babies1997: 6 babies1998: 6 babies1999: 7 babies2000: 8 babies20002001: 13 babies2002: 7 babies2003: 6 babies2004: 5 babies2005: 6 babies2006: 0 babies2007: 12 babies2008: 9 babies2009: 7 babies2010: 7 babies20102011: 7 babies2012: 6 babies2013: 9 babies2014: 6 babies2015: 0 babies2016: 11 babies2017: 0 babies2018: 7 babies2019: 8 babies2020: 0 babies20202021: 5 babies2022: 13 babies2023: 5 babies2024: 0 babies2025: 5 babies
US babies named Niel per year (Social Security Administration). Peak bar = 16.

Gender split

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

Origins & cultures

More Irish boys' names

Other names starting with N