When was Neil most popular?

The name Neil reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Neil Irwin?

The name Neil Irwin combines two different traditions: the first name Neil has Celtic roots, while the surname Irwin originates from English.

Neil Irwin — 99K & 34K bearers

Neil Irwin is a name that combines Celtic origins. The first name Neil is a masculine given name of Celtic origin. Neil is a masculine name of Irish origin. The name is an anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion". Most authorities cite the meaning of Neil in the context of a surname as meaning "champion". Origins The Gaelic name was adopted by the Vikings and taken to Iceland as Njáll (see Nigel). From Iceland it went via Norway, Denmark, and Normandy to England. The name also entered Northern England and Yorkshire directly from Ireland, and from Norwegian settlers. The surname Irwin: Alexander Irwin (died 1752), British Army officer Alexander J. Irwin (1799–1843), United States territorial legislator Andy Offutt Irwin, American storyteller and singer/songwriter Arthur Irwin (1858–1921), Canadian-American shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball Ashton Irwin (born 1994), Australian drummer in the band 5 Seconds of Summer Bill Irwin (wrestler), professional wrestler Bill Irwin (born 1950), American actor and clown Cecil Irwin (musician) (1902–1935), American jazz reed player and arranger Cecil Irwin (footballer) (1942–2025), English footballer Charles Irwin (1824–1873). Neil is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 99K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Neil reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Neil

Celtic

Neil is a masculine name of Irish origin. The name is an anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion". Most authorities cite the meaning of Neil in the context of a surname as meaning "champion". Origins The Gaelic name was adopted by the Vikings and taken to Iceland as Njáll (see Nigel). From Iceland it went via Norway, Denmark, and Normandy to England. The name also entered Northern England and Yorkshire directly from Ireland, and from Norwegian settlers.

Surname: Irwin

English

Alexander Irwin (died 1752), British Army officer Alexander J. Irwin (1799–1843), United States territorial legislator Andy Offutt Irwin, American storyteller and singer/songwriter Arthur Irwin (1858–1921), Canadian-American shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball Ashton Irwin (born 1994), Australian drummer in the band 5 Seconds of Summer Bill Irwin (wrestler), professional wrestler Bill Irwin (born 1950), American actor and clown Cecil Irwin (musician) (1902–1935), American jazz reed player and arranger Cecil Irwin (footballer) (1942–2025), English footballer Charles Irwin (1824–1873).

Geographic Distribution

The first name Neil is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%

United Kingdom 27%

Australia 12%

Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Neil by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Neil Irwin

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Neil Irwin:

5

Expression Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

5

Soul Urge Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

9

Personality Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Neil?: The first name Neil originates from Celtic. Neil is a masculine name of Irish origin. The name is an anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "honour" or "champion". Most authorities cite the meaning of Neil in the context of a surname as meaning "champion". Origins The Gaelic name was adopted by the Vikings and taken to Iceland as Njáll (see Nigel). From Iceland it went via Norway, Denmark, and Normandy to England. The name also entered Northern England and Yorkshire directly from Ireland, and from Norwegian settlers.
When was Neil most popular?: The name Neil reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Irwin?: The surname Irwin originates from English. Alexander Irwin (died 1752), British Army officer Alexander J. Irwin (1799–1843), United States territorial legislator Andy Offutt Irwin, American storyteller and singer/songwriter Arthur Irwin (1858–1921), Canadian-American shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball Ashton Irwin (born 1994), Australian drummer in the band 5 Seconds of Summer Bill Irwin (wrestler), professional wrestler Bill Irwin (born 1950), American actor and clown Cecil Irwin (musician) (1902–1935), American jazz reed player and arranger Cecil Irwin (footballer) (1942–2025), English footballer Charles Irwin (1824–1873).
What are the origins of the name Neil Irwin?: The name Neil Irwin combines two different traditions: the first name Neil has Celtic roots, while the surname Irwin originates from English.