Niel: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	58	6	–	#1,958
1920s	109	11	+88%	#2,050
1930s	154	15	+41%	#1,599
1940s	169	17	+10%	#1,565
1950s	213	21	+26%	#1,552
1960s	168	17	-21%	#1,657
1970s	136	14	-19%	#2,254
1980s	129	13	-5%	#2,423
1990s	86	9	-33%	#4,468
2000s	73	7	-15%	#5,585
2010s	61	6	-16%	#7,472
2020s (to 2025)	28	5	-23%	#6,730

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#1,958

1920s

109

+88%

#2,050

1930s

154

+41%

#1,599

1940s

169

+10%

#1,565

1950s

213

+26%

#1,552

1960s

168

-21%

#1,657

1970s

136

-19%

#2,254

1980s

129

-5%

#2,423

1990s

-33%

#4,468

2000s

-15%

#5,585

2010s

-16%

#7,472

2020s (to 2025)

-23%

#6,730

The story of Niel

Niel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #13,333 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1913, 1,384 American babies have been named Niel. Its peak came in 1958, when 26 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 Niel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Niel?

The median living Niel is about 52 years old; half are between 33 and 68. An estimated 900 people named Niel 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.

Niel year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	5	#13,333
2024	–	–
2023	5	#13,586
2022	13	#6,730
2021	5	#13,503
2020	–	–
2019	8	#9,493
2018	7	#10,424
2017	–	–
2016	11	#7,472
2015	–	–
2014	6	#11,719
2013	9	#8,575
2012	6	#11,831
2011	7	#10,448
2010	7	#10,431
2009	7	#10,654
2008	9	#8,806
2007	12	#6,961
2006	–	–
2005	6	#11,076
2004	5	#12,671
2003	6	#10,495
2002	7	#9,112
2001	13	#5,585
2000	8	#7,969
1995	7	#7,565
1990	9	#5,688
1985	13	#3,540
1980	21	#2,423
1975	8	#4,191
1970	10	#3,207
1965	23	#1,657
1960	22	#1,754
1955	23	#1,633
1950	22	#1,599
1945	19	#1,565
1940	19	#1,610
1935	12	#2,209
1930	17	#1,872
1925	9	#3,072
1920	12	#2,558
1915	7	#3,290
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Niel?

The median living Niel is about 52 years old. Half of all living Niels are between 33 and 68 years old.

How many people named Niel are alive today?

An estimated 900 people named Niel are alive in the United States, based on 1,384 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Niel in 2025?

Niel ranked #13,333 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Niel?

1,384 babies have been named Niel in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Niel most popular?

Niel peaked in 1958, when 26 newborns received the name.

Is Niel a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Niel rising or falling?

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

Niel

Niel popularity over time

The story of Niel

How old are people named Niel?

Niel year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Niel