Neel
Every Neel since 1918 — 3,392 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Neel
Neel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,581 in 2025 with 108 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1918, 3,392 American babies have been named Neel. Its peak came in 2009, when 148 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Neel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Neel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 108 | #1,581 |
| 2024 | 87 | #1,859 |
| 2023 | 67 | #2,168 |
| 2022 | 103 | #1,673 |
| 2021 | 94 | #1,733 |
| 2020 | 83 | #1,810 |
| 2019 | 81 | #1,860 |
| 2018 | 86 | #1,789 |
| 2017 | 115 | #1,475 |
| 2016 | 98 | #1,634 |
| 2015 | 95 | #1,663 |
| 2014 | 90 | #1,697 |
| 2013 | 81 | #1,789 |
| 2012 | 81 | #1,827 |
| 2011 | 97 | #1,596 |
| 2010 | 140 | #1,254 |
| 2009 | 148 | #1,216 |
| 2008 | 108 | #1,514 |
| 2007 | 122 | #1,366 |
| 2006 | 93 | #1,579 |
| 2005 | 82 | #1,657 |
| 2004 | 86 | #1,549 |
| 2003 | 82 | #1,560 |
| 2002 | 71 | #1,676 |
| 2001 | 76 | #1,583 |
| 2000 | 79 | #1,534 |
| 1995 | 34 | #2,330 |
| 1990 | 29 | #2,415 |
| 1985 | 31 | #1,904 |
| 1980 | 21 | #2,420 |
| 1975 | 15 | #2,717 |
| 1970 | 5 | #5,221 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | 5 | #4,380 |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,135 |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Neel
- Neel Jani Racing driver · b. 1983
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Neel in 2025?
Neel ranked #1,581 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 108 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Neel?
3,392 babies have been named Neel in the United States since 1918, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Neel most popular?
Neel peaked in 2009, when 148 newborns received the name.
Is Neel a boy or girl name?
Neel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Neel rising or falling?
Neel has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Neel?
Well-known people named Neel include Neel Jani (racing driver).