Neely
Every Neely since 1888 — 2,630 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Neely
Neely is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,144 in 2025 with 35 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1888, 2,630 American babies have been named Neely — about 85% girls and 15% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1974, when 82 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Neely stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Neely year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 35 | #4,144 | — | — |
| 2024 | 25 | #5,256 | — | — |
| 2023 | 31 | #4,534 | — | — |
| 2022 | 33 | #4,351 | — | — |
| 2021 | 33 | #4,303 | — | — |
| 2020 | 24 | #5,278 | — | — |
| 2019 | 36 | #4,054 | — | — |
| 2018 | 33 | #4,318 | — | — |
| 2017 | 37 | #4,050 | — | — |
| 2016 | 44 | #3,568 | — | — |
| 2015 | 38 | #3,964 | — | — |
| 2014 | 52 | #3,175 | — | — |
| 2013 | 49 | #3,304 | — | — |
| 2012 | 55 | #3,078 | — | — |
| 2011 | 48 | #3,395 | — | — |
| 2010 | 47 | #3,457 | — | — |
| 2009 | 51 | #3,288 | — | — |
| 2008 | 48 | #3,462 | — | — |
| 2007 | 55 | #3,158 | — | — |
| 2006 | 55 | #3,078 | — | — |
| 2005 | 68 | #2,545 | — | — |
| 2004 | 56 | #2,883 | — | — |
| 2003 | 48 | #3,113 | — | — |
| 2002 | 55 | #2,769 | — | — |
| 2001 | 40 | #3,401 | — | — |
| 2000 | 58 | #2,586 | — | — |
| 1995 | 16 | #5,875 | — | — |
| 1990 | 24 | #4,190 | — | — |
| 1985 | 24 | #3,590 | 6 | #6,280 |
| 1980 | 27 | #3,186 | — | — |
| 1975 | 56 | #1,701 | 5 | #6,039 |
| 1970 | 21 | #3,175 | 5 | #5,222 |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | 5 | #4,219 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | 7 | #2,918 |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | 8 | #2,876 |
| 1930 | 5 | #5,059 | 9 | #2,940 |
| 1925 | — | — | 8 | #3,321 |
| 1920 | — | — | 8 | #3,404 |
| 1915 | — | — | 9 | #2,763 |
| 1910 | — | — | 5 | #1,774 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | 5 | #1,439 |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | 6 | #964 |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Neely in 2025?
Neely ranked #4,144 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 35 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Neely?
2,630 babies have been named Neely in the United States since 1888, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Neely most popular?
Neely peaked in 1974, when 82 newborns received the name.
Is Neely a boy or girl name?
Neely is used for both: about 85% of babies named Neely have been girls and 15% boys.
Is the name Neely rising or falling?
Neely is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.