Neil

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Neil is the Anglicized form of Niall, an Irish Gaelic name from Niul, an Old Irish name probably from "niadh," meaning "Champion."

History:
Neil has one of the more fascinating name histories. It began in Ireland as Niul (later becoming Niall). The name Niul was taken of Vikings who took it to Iceland as Njal (Njál, Njála). Njal then moved from Iceland to the rest of Scandinavia. Scandinavian Vikings spread the name to England, where it survived for a time, and into the Latin language (where it became Nigellus). About the 8th century, Scandinavian Vikings also settled in Normandy, France becoming the Normans. The Normans soon spoke French, instead of a Scandinavian language, and Njal became Nel. Nel then turned into Neil (and the surnames Neal and Nelson) and became especially popular in the Scottish-English border regions. It also continued to flourish in Ireland. In the 20th century, Neil has continued to spread to the rest of the English-speaking world.

Alternates: Neal, Nelson, Niel, Nihel, Niles, Nigel.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Niel Gow (1727-1807)
Scottish violinist.
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