Niel
Every Niel since 1913 — 1,384 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Niel
Niel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #13,333 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1913, 1,384 American babies have been named Niel. Its peak came in 1958, when 26 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Niel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Niel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #13,333 |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | 5 | #13,586 |
| 2022 | 13 | #6,730 |
| 2021 | 5 | #13,503 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 8 | #9,493 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10,424 |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | 11 | #7,472 |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 6 | #11,719 |
| 2013 | 9 | #8,575 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11,831 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10,448 |
| 2010 | 7 | #10,431 |
| 2009 | 7 | #10,654 |
| 2008 | 9 | #8,806 |
| 2007 | 12 | #6,961 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 6 | #11,076 |
| 2004 | 5 | #12,671 |
| 2003 | 6 | #10,495 |
| 2002 | 7 | #9,112 |
| 2001 | 13 | #5,585 |
| 2000 | 8 | #7,969 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7,565 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5,688 |
| 1985 | 13 | #3,540 |
| 1980 | 21 | #2,423 |
| 1975 | 8 | #4,191 |
| 1970 | 10 | #3,207 |
| 1965 | 23 | #1,657 |
| 1960 | 22 | #1,754 |
| 1955 | 23 | #1,633 |
| 1950 | 22 | #1,599 |
| 1945 | 19 | #1,565 |
| 1940 | 19 | #1,610 |
| 1935 | 12 | #2,209 |
| 1930 | 17 | #1,872 |
| 1925 | 9 | #3,072 |
| 1920 | 12 | #2,558 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,290 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Niel in 2025?
Niel ranked #13,333 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Niel?
1,384 babies have been named Niel in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Niel most popular?
Niel peaked in 1958, when 26 newborns received the name.
Is Niel a boy or girl name?
Niel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Niel rising or falling?
Niel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.