How popular is the name Neal?

In 2025, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Neal, ranking 4,275th. Its peak was 1996, with 24 births.

Is Neal a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 55,305 US babies named Neal since 1880 were boys.

When was Neal most popular?

1959 in the United States, when 1,222 babies were named Neal, its highest rank at 223rd.

Is Neal also a surname?

Yes. Neal is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.

The first name Neal

A boy’s name from Irish.

Pronounced /niːl/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname

Meaning and origin

Irish origin

A male given name from Irish, transferred from the surname.

A form of Neil.

From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Popularity

Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

In 2025, 4 boys were named Neal, making it the 4,275th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 24 births (#654).

231

babies named Neal, 1996–2025

#4,275

rank in 2025

1996

peak year

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Neal with other names.

Popularity in the United States

Babies named Neal at birth, 1880–2025

In 2025, 82 boys born in the United States were named Neal, the 1,914th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1959, when 1,222 were.

55,305

babies named Neal since 1880

#1,914

rank in 2025

1959

peak year

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Nicknames and spellings

Other spellings and forms

Neals

Famous people named Neal

47 on Wikidata, most written-about first

Neal McDonough
American actor, born 1966
Neal Stephenson
American science fiction writer (born 1959)
Neal Maupay
French footballer (born 1996)
Neal Cassady
American writer (1926–1968)
Neal Schon
American guitarist, born 1954
Neal Skupski
British tennis player, born 1989
Neal H. Moritz
American film producer, born 1959
Neal Hefti
American jazz trumpeter, composer, songwriter, and arranger (1922-2008)
Neal Morse
American rock musician, born 1960
Neal Mohan
CEO of YouTube since 2023
Neal E. Miller
American psychologist and academic (1909-2002)
Neal Adams
American comic book and commercial artist (1941–2022)

More Irish boys’ names

All 142 names of Irish origin

Questions

What is the origin of the name Neal?: Neal comes from Irish.
How popular is the name Neal?: In 2025, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Neal, ranking 4,275th. Its peak was 1996, with 24 births.
Is Neal a boy's or a girl's name?: Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 55,305 US babies named Neal since 1880 were boys.
When was Neal most popular?: 1959 in the United States, when 1,222 babies were named Neal, its highest rank at 223rd.
How do you pronounce Neal?: Neal is /niːl/, one syllable.
What name is Neal a form of?: Neal is a form of Neil.
What are other spellings of Neal?: Neals.
Is Neal also a surname?: Yes. Neal is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.