When was Neil most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Neil Reid?

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

Neil Reid — 99K & 111K bearers

Neil Reid 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 Reid: Reid is a surname of Scottish origin. It means "red". People with the surname Alec Cunningham-Reid (1895–1977), British politician Alexandra Reid (born 1992), American singer Amanda Reid (born 1996), Australian Paralympic athlete Amanda Reid (taxonomist), Australian biologist Amy Sanderson née Reid (1876–1931), Scottish suffragette Andy Reid (born 1958), American professional football coach Angella Reid, White House Chief Usher Anne Cooke Reid (1907–1997), African American stage director and academic Anthony Reid (born 1957), British racing driver Anthony Reid (academic) (1939–2025), New Zeala. 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: Reid

Meaning: red

Scottish

Reid is a surname of Scottish origin. It means "red". People with the surname Alec Cunningham-Reid (1895–1977), British politician Alexandra Reid (born 1992), American singer Amanda Reid (born 1996), Australian Paralympic athlete Amanda Reid (taxonomist), Australian biologist Amy Sanderson née Reid (1876–1931), Scottish suffragette Andy Reid (born 1958), American professional football coach Angella Reid, White House Chief Usher Anne Cooke Reid (1907–1997), African American stage director and academic Anthony Reid (born 1957), British racing driver Anthony Reid (academic) (1939–2025), New Zeala.

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 Reid

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 Reid:

4

Expression Number

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

1

Soul Urge Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

3

Personality Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

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 Reid?: The surname Reid originates from Scottish. Reid is a surname of Scottish origin. It means "red". People with the surname Alec Cunningham-Reid (1895–1977), British politician Alexandra Reid (born 1992), American singer Amanda Reid (born 1996), Australian Paralympic athlete Amanda Reid (taxonomist), Australian biologist Amy Sanderson née Reid (1876–1931), Scottish suffragette Andy Reid (born 1958), American professional football coach Angella Reid, White House Chief Usher Anne Cooke Reid (1907–1997), African American stage director and academic Anthony Reid (born 1957), British racing driver Anthony Reid (academic) (1939–2025), New Zeala.
What are the origins of the name Neil Reid?: The name Neil Reid combines two different traditions: the first name Neil has Celtic roots, while the surname Reid originates from Scottish.