Spelling Variants
Neal vs Neil: Which Spelling?
Neal and Neil are anglicized forms of Irish 'Niall'—variant spellings.
Global Rank #273
Neal
Origin: English
Neal is an anglicized form of the Irish name Niall, derived from the Old Irish word meaning "champion" or "cloud," with possible roots in "níal" (a warrior or noble).
Global Rank #330
Neil
Origin: Irish
Neil derives from the Irish name Niall, which likely comes from the Old Irish word "nial" meaning "cloud" or possibly "champion" or "noble," though the exact etymology remains debated among…
Which is more popular? Based on real registry rankings, Neal currently ranks higher globally. Popularity can vary a lot by country — check each name's own page for a full regional breakdown.