Boy · 1702nd of 6,773
Neale
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
920
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1937
Peak Popularity Year
28
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Neale stands across generations
This name is not present in the Generation Alpha ranking.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Neale is an Old Irish name meaning 'champion' or 'cloud', derived from the name Niall. It evolved through forms such as Niall and Neal before becoming Neale. The name is often associated with traits of strength and leadership, and it has no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/niːl/
Origin
Old Irish
Etymology
The name Neale is derived from the Old Irish name 'Niall', which means 'champion' or 'cloud'. It has roots in the Gaelic language.
Meaning
champion, cloud
Language Evolution
Niall, Neal, Neale
Historical Usage
The name Neale gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, particularly in Ireland and among Irish immigrants.
Variants & Derivatives
Neil, Niall, Neal
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Neale is perceived as a classic and somewhat unique name, often associated with strength and leadership.
Famous People
Neale Donald Walsch, Neale N. C. R. O'Neill
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 28 peak births in 1937
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in New York
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2655th of 7545 | 154 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1702nd of 6773 | 323 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2324th of 7552 | 233 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3998th of 10718 | 107 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6816th of 16616 | 82 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 18390th of 24088 | 16 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 19264th of 19264 | 5 |