Popularity: 11843
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Champion
Neale is a gender-neutral given name and surname of Irish origin. Though sometimes used for girls, it’s more commonly given to boys. It’s a variant of Neil, itself an anglicized form of Niall, an ancient Irish name of uncertain meaning. It’s thought to derive from the Old Irish word niadh, meaning “champion.” If you want your little one to be a winner in life, this could be the perfect name! The surnames O’Neill, McNeil and their variants can be traced back to Niall of the Nine Hostages, one of the High Kings of Ireland. If you’re proud of your Irish roots, this name is sure to always remind baby where they come from.