When was Neil most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Neil Ratliff?

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

Neil Ratliff — 99K & 30K bearers

Neil Ratliff 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 Ratliff: Alfonso Ratliff (born 1956), American boxer Anthony Ratliff-Williams (born 1997), American football player Arthur M. Ratliff (1924–2007), American teacher, author, and businessman Ben Ratliff (born 1968), American journalist, music critic, and author Bennett Ratliff (born 1961), American politician Bill Ratliff (1936–2025), American politician Bo Ratliff (1933–2024), American singer Brett Ratliff (born 1985), American football player Carlos Ratliff (1910–1961), American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach Connor Ratliff, American actor and comedian David Ratliff (1912–1995), Am. 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: Ratliff

English

Alfonso Ratliff (born 1956), American boxer Anthony Ratliff-Williams (born 1997), American football player Arthur M. Ratliff (1924–2007), American teacher, author, and businessman Ben Ratliff (born 1968), American journalist, music critic, and author Bennett Ratliff (born 1961), American politician Bill Ratliff (1936–2025), American politician Bo Ratliff (1933–2024), American singer Brett Ratliff (born 1985), American football player Carlos Ratliff (1910–1961), American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach Connor Ratliff, American actor and comedian David Ratliff (1912–1995), Am.

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 Ratliff

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 Ratliff:

4

Expression Number

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

6

Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

7

Personality Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

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 Ratliff?: The surname Ratliff originates from English. Alfonso Ratliff (born 1956), American boxer Anthony Ratliff-Williams (born 1997), American football player Arthur M. Ratliff (1924–2007), American teacher, author, and businessman Ben Ratliff (born 1968), American journalist, music critic, and author Bennett Ratliff (born 1961), American politician Bill Ratliff (1936–2025), American politician Bo Ratliff (1933–2024), American singer Brett Ratliff (born 1985), American football player Carlos Ratliff (1910–1961), American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach Connor Ratliff, American actor and comedian David Ratliff (1912–1995), Am.
What are the origins of the name Neil Ratliff?: The name Neil Ratliff combines two different traditions: the first name Neil has Celtic roots, while the surname Ratliff originates from English.