name
Common
Neil
neel
Neil (name) means a masculine given name of Irish origin, meaning "champion" or "cloud.". Example: “Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon.”
name
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A masculine given name of Irish origin, meaning "champion" or "cloud."
"Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon."
"So now that the Republicans have used the nuclear option to kill the poor filibuster to clear the way for the elevation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, we can lose perspective."
— Steven Waldman, Learning to Love the Nuclear Option (2017)
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Etymology
An anglicised form of the Goidelic/Irish name Niall, and a doublet of Niall.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Neil
See all rhymes for Neil →Frequently asked questions
What does “Neil” mean?
The word “Neil” means a masculine given name of Irish origin, meaning "champion" or "cloud.".
How do you pronounce “Neil”?
“Neil” is pronounced neel (/niːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Neil” in a sentence?
Here is “Neil” used in a sentence: “Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon.”
What part of speech is “Neil”?
“Neil” is a name.
Is “Neil” a common word?
“Neil” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between the names 'Neil' and 'Neal'?
Both are masculine given names of Irish origin meaning 'champion' or 'cloud,' but 'Neil' is the more common spelling today. 'Neal' is a recognized variant, and the two are pronounced the same.
Is 'Neil' an Irish name?
Yes, Neil is a masculine given name of Irish origin. It is traditionally understood to mean 'champion' or 'cloud.'
Is 'Neil' used as a first name or a surname?
Neil is chiefly a masculine first name of Irish origin. Related forms also appear in surnames such as O'Neill, which share the same Irish root.
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