Niall Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Niall originates from the Irish language and means 'champion' or 'cloud'. It evolved from the Old Irish 'Nial' and gained historical significance through figures like Niall of the Nine Hostages. The name has remained significant in Irish culture and is associated with strength and leadership, with no direct biblical relevance. Variants include Neal and Niel, and it enjoys modern popularity, particularly among those with Irish heritage.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Niall"
Pronunciation
/nɪəl/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Niall is derived from the Old Irish name 'Nial', which is believed to mean 'champion' or 'cloud'. It is often associated with the historical figure Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary Irish king.
Meaning
champion, cloud
Language Evolution
Nial (Old Irish), Niall (Middle Irish), Niall (Modern Irish)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in Ireland during the early medieval period, particularly due to the influence of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and has remained a common name in Irish culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Neal, Niel, Nyle
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Niall is perceived as a traditional yet contemporary name in Ireland and among Irish communities worldwide. It is often associated with strength and leadership.
Famous People
Niall Horan (singer, member of One Direction), Niall Ferguson (historian), Niall O'Dowd (journalist)
📊 Niall Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Niall Name Visualizations
✨ Niall Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 109 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 13 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Niall"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Niall"
"Niall" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4091st of 7552 | 66 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3509th of 10718 | 138 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2676th of 16616 | 366 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3122nd of 24088 | 519 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1976th of 23106 | 906 |
Regional Popularity of "Niall" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
57.42% 2116th/3685 |
39.89% 1785th/4475 |
67.60% 3511th/5194 |
39.20% 2476th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
71.85% 3292nd/4582 |
35.69% 1843rd/5164 |
- |
41.03% 3062nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
50.60% 2016th/3984 |
30.42% 1365th/4487 |
40.99% 2796th/6822 |
33.83% 2123rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Niall" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Niall"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Niall" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Niall" in the United States
The name Niall is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Niall has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Niall' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4091st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3509th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2676th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3122nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1976th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Niall' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.