Howard vs Neil

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Howard

Boy #1,056 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"high guardian, high watchman"

Origin: Old Norse

English American

✓ All Clear

Boy #866 Most Popular 1 Syllable

"cloud"

Origin: Old Irish

Irish Scottish English Scandinavian

✓ All Clear

Howard Rank #1,056

Neil Rank #866

Neil is more popular, ranked #866 vs #1056 for Howard.

Is Howard or Neil more popular?

Neil is more popular, ranked #866 compared to Howard at #1056 in the United States.

What do Howard and Neil mean?

Howard means "high guardian, high watchman" (Old Norse origin). Neil means "cloud" (Old Irish origin).

Are Howard and Neil boy or girl names?

Howard is primarily a boy name. Neil is primarily a boy name.