Niall
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Niall
Niall is pronounced nye-al--something like Neil, but this Irish spelling of the name makes it much more current and cool.
Niall for boys#1706 US
This is an ancient name borne by several of the high kings of Tara, the most famous of whom was the powerful semi-mythological fifth century king known as Niall of the Nine Hostages, ancestor of all the O'Neills and MacNeills that followed.
Niall Ferguson is a respected English historian, one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2004.
Niall for girls
While Niall -- pronounced as Neil or like the river Nile -- is conventionally a boys' name, it might theoretically work for girls.
Pronounced NYE-al.
As of October 2026, Niall ranked #1706 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #1582 in 2024, Nameberry popularity #871.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #2,150 | 64 | 33.3 |
| 2015 | #2,380 | 55 | 28.7 |
| 2016 | #2,429 | 53 | 27.9 |
| 2017 | #1,908 | 76 | 41.1 |
| 2018 | #1,667 | 96 | 52.9 |
| 2019 | #2,121 | 68 | 37.9 |
| 2020 | #2,128 | 66 | 38.2 |
| 2021 | #1,848 | 84 | 48 |
| 2022 | #1,991 | 77 | 44.1 |
| 2023 | #1,813 | 89 | 52 |
| 2024 | #1,582 | 109 | 63.3 |
| 2025 | #1,706 | 96 | 56.2 |
World rankings
Niall for boys
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Niall on lists
Famous Nialls
- Niall McGinnBoy
Northern Irish footballer
- Niall of the Nine HostagesBoy
High King of Ireland
- Niall James HoranBoy
Irish singer
- Niall Campbell Douglas FergusonBoy
Scottish historian
- Niall John QuinnBoy
Irish footballer
- Niall MatterBoy
Canadian actor
- Niall Joseph SheehyBoy
Irish actor
- Niall Macfarlane MackenzieBoy
Scottish motorcycle racer
- Niall John O'BrienBoy
Irish cricketer
- Niall MacGinnisBoy
Irish actor
Niall in pop culture
- Niall ArdanachBoy
young emperor of Mor Ardain in the game "Xenoblade Chronicles 2"
- Niall BrigantBoy
fairy on TV's "True Blood"
- NiallBoy
Character in the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr
- Niall MithrilenBoy
character in "Sims" series
- Niall RaffertyBoy
character on British soap "Hollyoaks"