name
Uncommon
Neal
neel
Neal (name) means a male given name and surname, a variant of Neil, ultimately from the Irish name Niall. Example: “Neal moved to Chicago after finishing college.”
name
1
A male given name and surname, a variant of Neil, ultimately from the Irish name Niall.
"Neal moved to Chicago after finishing college."
How to use Neal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common English first name or surname.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- neals
- Past tense
- nealed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ moved to Chicago after finishing college.
Etymology
From Irish Niall via the surname/given name tradition.
Rhymes for Neal
See all rhymes for Neal →Frequently asked questions
What does “Neal” mean?
The word “Neal” means a male given name and surname, a variant of Neil, ultimately from the Irish name Niall. In plain terms, a common English first name or surname.
How do you pronounce “Neal”?
“Neal” is pronounced neel (/niːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Neal” in a sentence?
Here is “Neal” used in a sentence: “Neal moved to Chicago after finishing college.”
What part of speech is “Neal”?
“Neal” is a name.
Where does the word “Neal” come from?
The word “Neal” comes from Irish. From Irish Niall via the surname/given name tradition.
Is “Neal” a common word?
“Neal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is Neal a variant of Neil?
Yes, Neal is a spelling variant of Neil, both of which derive ultimately from the Irish name Niall. The two spellings are used interchangeably as either a given name or a surname.
Is Neal used as a first name or a last name?
Neal can function as both a first name and a surname, depending on the family or individual. This dual use is common with names that originated as personal names before also becoming hereditary surnames.
What is the origin of the name Neal?
Neal traces back to the Irish name Niall, which passed into English through variants like Neil and Neal. The exact original meaning of Niall is debated among historians, so no single meaning should be treated as definitive.
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