Neil vs Nelson

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Neil

Boy #866 Most Popular 1 Syllable

"cloud"

Origin: Old Irish

Irish Scottish English Scandinavian

✓ All Clear

Boy #778 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"son of Neil, son of the champion"

Origin: English

English American Welsh Irish

✓ All Clear

Neil Rank #866

Nelson Rank #778

Nelson is more popular, ranked #778 vs #866 for Neil.

Is Neil or Nelson more popular?

Nelson is more popular, ranked #778 compared to Neil at #866 in the United States.

What do Neil and Nelson mean?

Neil means "cloud" (Old Irish origin). Nelson means "son of Neil, son of the champion" (English origin).

Are Neil and Nelson boy or girl names?

Neil is primarily a boy name. Nelson is primarily a boy name.