The nameNiall

Niall is an old Irish royal name. It was a top 110 name in England and Wales in the late 1990s.

Meaning

The meaning of Niall is debated, often given as "champion" or "cloud".

Origin

Irish.

History

Niall of the Nine Hostages was a legendary High King of Ireland. In England and Wales Niall reached 106th in 1996. Niall Horan of One Direction made it known worldwide.

Famous people named Niall

Popularity of the name Niall

Niall in the United States

1578thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2024peak year (109 births)
1,995babies named Niall in the United States since 1880
055109 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Niall was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 576 births over the decade, 29% of all recorded babies named Niall. Its rise began around 1964, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Niall in the United States were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 85 births a year on average, against 70 in the five years before.

Niall in the United Kingdom

575thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
1999peak year (568 births)
7,482babies named Niall in the United Kingdom since 1997
0284568 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Niall was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 3,251 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Niall. Half of all babies named Niall in the United Kingdom were born before 2005, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 95 births a year on average, against 157 in the five years before.

Niall in Ireland

241stmost popular boys' name in Ireland in 2025
1991peak year (440 births)
13,353babies named Niall in Ireland since 1964
0220440 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Niall

Names from the same generation as Niall, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Niall? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Niall with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Niall side by side with the name of your choice.

Niall in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Niall mean?

The meaning of Niall is debated, often given as "champion" or "cloud".

What is the origin of the name Niall?

Irish.

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

Niall is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Niall?

In 2024, Niall was the 1578th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 109 births.

What are the variants of the name Niall?

Variants and related names of Niall include Neal and Nigel.

What are good sibling names for Niall?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Millicent, Roisin, Orla and Eleanore for a sister, Aziz, Malone, Wolfgang and Ciaran for a brother.

Who are famous people named Niall?

Niall of the Nine Hostages; Niall Horan, singer; Niall Ferguson, historian.