Neel
Boy name · #1576 in 2025 · Uniqueness 59/100
Neel ranks #1576 among American boys' names as of 2025, with 108 newborns given the name that year. A decade ago it stood at #1657, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 16,667 boys born in 2025 was named Neel.
Babies named Neel per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 107-year story
Neel first appears in the Social Security records in 1918, when 8 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2009, when 148 boys were named Neel — good for #1214 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Neel against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Neel in class?
Neel scores 59 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Neel is most common
Geography matters for names, and Neel is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Neels were CA (25), TX (14), NJ (11), VA (6), MA (5). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Neel
Statistically, parents drawn to Neel tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Jael, Nabeel, Jahleel, Yoel, and Nate.
JaelNabeelJahleelYoelNateCaelPavelSteel
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Neel | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 108 | #1571 |
| 2024 | 87 | #1856 |
| 2023 | 67 | #2147 |
| 2022 | 103 | #1665 |
| 2021 | 94 | #1721 |
| 2020 | 83 | #1798 |
| 2019 | 81 | #1849 |
| 2018 | 86 | #1777 |
| 2017 | 115 | #1467 |
| 2016 | 98 | #1628 |
| 2015 | 95 | #1657 |
| 2014 | 90 | #1691 |
| 2013 | 81 | #1782 |
| 2012 | 81 | #1818 |
| 2011 | 97 | #1587 |
| 2010 | 140 | #1250 |
| 2009 | 148 | #1214 |
| 2008 | 108 | #1504 |
| 2007 | 122 | #1365 |
| 2006 | 93 | #1575 |
| 2005 | 82 | #1648 |
| 2004 | 86 | #1542 |
| 2003 | 82 | #1548 |
| 2002 | 71 | #1660 |
| 2001 | 76 | #1572 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Neel a popular boy name?
Neel ranked #1576 among boys in 2025 with 108 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1657.
When was the name Neel most popular?
Neel peaked in 2009, when 148 American boys received the name (ranked #1214 that year). Since 2009 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Neel?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 16,667 newborn American boys was named Neel. It scores 59/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.