Alec vs Neil

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Alec

Boy #880 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"defender of men"

Origin: Greek

English Scottish American European

✓ All Clear

Boy #866 Most Popular 1 Syllable

"cloud"

Origin: Old Irish

Irish Scottish English Scandinavian

✓ All Clear

Alec Rank #880

Neil Rank #866

Neil is more popular, ranked #866 vs #880 for Alec.

Is Alec or Neil more popular?

Neil is more popular, ranked #866 compared to Alec at #880 in the United States.

What do Alec and Neil mean?

Alec means "defender of men" (Greek origin). Neil means "cloud" (Old Irish origin).

Are Alec and Neil boy or girl names?

Alec is primarily a boy name. Neil is primarily a boy name.