Neill: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Neill

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1950

36 babies

All-time total

1,834

#3,486 all-time among boys

First recorded

1912

in Social Security records

Neill popularity over time

1,834 babies have been named Neill since 1912, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	103	10	–	#1,646
1920s	164	16	+59%	#1,695
1930s	163	16	-1%	#1,509
1940s	253	25	+55%	#1,200
1950s	282	28	+11%	#1,215
1960s	193	19	-32%	#1,610
1970s	243	24	+26%	#1,512
1980s	205	21	-16%	#1,895
1990s	142	14	-31%	#2,901
2000s	46	5	-68%	#5,493
2010s	25	3	-46%	#10,413
2020s (to 2025)	15	3	0%	#9,300

The story of Neill

Neill is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1912, 1,834 American babies have been named Neill. Its peak came in 1950, when 36 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Neill stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Neill?

The median living Neill is about 53 years old; half are between 39 and 69. An estimated 1,200 people named Neill are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Neill year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	7	#10,469
2020	8	#9,300
2019	–	–
2018	7	#10,413
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	5	#13,449
2013	–	–
2012	7	#10,436
2011	–	–
2010	6	#11,765
2009	6	#12,029
2008	7	#10,689
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	15	#5,493
2004	–	–
2003	6	#10,486
2002	–	–
2001	5	#11,788
2000	7	#8,847
1995	8	#6,805
1990	22	#2,928
1985	19	#2,672
1980	30	#1,895
1975	34	#1,554
1970	21	#1,972
1965	14	#2,237
1960	15	#2,179
1955	28	#1,477
1950	36	#1,215
1945	21	#1,482
1940	32	#1,200
1935	19	#1,637
1930	12	#2,406
1925	20	#1,784
1920	14	#2,305
1915	14	#2,040
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Neill

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Neill Blomkamp South African-Canadian filmmaker (born 1979) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Neill, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Neill?

The median living Neill is about 53 years old. Half of all living Neills are between 39 and 69 years old.

How many people named Neill are alive today?

An estimated 1,200 people named Neill are alive in the United States, based on 1,834 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Neill mean?

Variant spelling of Neil, anglicised form of Goidelic/Irish Niall.

How popular is the name Neill in 2025?

Neill did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Neill?

1,834 babies have been named Neill in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Neill most popular?

Neill peaked in 1950, when 36 newborns received the name.

Is Neill a boy or girl name?

Neill is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Neill rising or falling?

Neill is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Neill?

Well-known people named Neill include Neill Blomkamp (film director).

Names like Neill

Names that sound and feel close to Neill: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Neill with similar names → More names starting with N →