When was Neil most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Neil Rafferty?

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

Neil Rafferty — 99K & 9K bearers

Neil Rafferty 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 Rafferty: Anne Rafferty (born 1950), English jurist Anne Marie Rafferty (born 1958), British nurse and academic Barbara Rafferty (born 1950), Scottish actress Bill Rafferty (1944–2012), American comedian Billy Rafferty (born 1950), Scottish footballer Charles Rafferty, American poet Charles D. Rafferty (1879–1949), American football player and coach Chips Rafferty (1909–1971), Australian actor Claire Rafferty (footballer) (born 1989), English pundit and retired footballer Claire Rafferty (actress) (born 1982), Northern Irish actress Damien Rafferty (fl. 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: Rafferty

Irish

Anne Rafferty (born 1950), English jurist Anne Marie Rafferty (born 1958), British nurse and academic Barbara Rafferty (born 1950), Scottish actress Bill Rafferty (1944–2012), American comedian Billy Rafferty (born 1950), Scottish footballer Charles Rafferty, American poet Charles D. Rafferty (1879–1949), American football player and coach Chips Rafferty (1909–1971), Australian actor Claire Rafferty (footballer) (born 1989), English pundit and retired footballer Claire Rafferty (actress) (born 1982), Northern Irish actress Damien Rafferty (fl.

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 Rafferty

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 Rafferty:

4

Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

2

Soul Urge Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

11

Personality Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

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 Rafferty?: The surname Rafferty originates from Irish. Anne Rafferty (born 1950), English jurist Anne Marie Rafferty (born 1958), British nurse and academic Barbara Rafferty (born 1950), Scottish actress Bill Rafferty (1944–2012), American comedian Billy Rafferty (born 1950), Scottish footballer Charles Rafferty, American poet Charles D. Rafferty (1879–1949), American football player and coach Chips Rafferty (1909–1971), Australian actor Claire Rafferty (footballer) (born 1989), English pundit and retired footballer Claire Rafferty (actress) (born 1982), Northern Irish actress Damien Rafferty (fl.
What are the origins of the name Neil Rafferty?: The name Neil Rafferty combines two different traditions: the first name Neil has Celtic roots, while the surname Rafferty originates from Irish.