Gary vs Neil

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Gary

Boy #1,133 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"spear ruler"

Origin: Germanic

American English Irish

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Gary' can be twisted to 'scary'"}

Boy #866 Most Popular 1 Syllable

"cloud"

Origin: Old Irish

Irish Scottish English Scandinavian

✓ All Clear

Gary Rank #1,133

Neil Rank #866

Neil is more popular, ranked #866 vs #1133 for Gary.

Is Gary or Neil more popular?

Neil is more popular, ranked #866 compared to Gary at #1133 in the United States.

What do Gary and Neil mean?

Gary means "spear ruler" (Germanic origin). Neil means "cloud" (Old Irish origin).

Are Gary and Neil boy or girl names?

Gary is primarily a boy name. Neil is primarily a boy name.