NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Neilan

Of Irish origin, meaning "champion" or "brave warrior".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Neilan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Neilan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4432, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2008 to 2008. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Neilan is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Neilan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2009 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Neilan ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2008, when 3 boys were registered as Neilan.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Neilan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4432

2008

Births in 2008

3

Latest year

Peak year

2008

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Neilan mean?

The name Neilan originates from the Irish Gaelic language and has its roots in the 16th century. It is believed to be a variant of the name Niall, which was derived from the old Irish word "niadh" meaning "champion" or "warrior."

The name Neilan gained prominence in various parts of Ireland, particularly in the northern regions. It was often associated with families and clans that had a strong military or warrior heritage. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in Irish annals and genealogical records dating back to the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

In the 17th century, Neilan O'Donnell, a notable Irish chieftain and leader of the O'Donnell clan, played a significant role in the Nine Years' War against the English forces. He was born around 1572 and his resistance efforts against the English Crown earned him a place in Irish history.

Another historical figure bearing the name Neilan was Neilan O'Boyle, a 16th-century Irish poet and bard. He was renowned for his poetic works and contributions to the preservation of Irish culture and language during a turbulent period in Irish history.

During the 18th century, Neilan O'Reilly, born in 1711, was a prominent Irish physician and scientist. He made significant contributions to the field of medicine and was recognized for his work on the treatment of smallpox.

In the 19th century, Neilan O'Malley, born in 1832, was an Irish nationalist and political activist. He played a crucial role in advocating for Irish independence and was a vocal supporter of the Irish Republican Brotherhood movement.

Neilan Grady, born in 1905, was an Irish-American actor who gained fame in Hollywood during the early 20th century. He appeared in numerous films and television shows, showcasing his talent and versatility as a performer.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Neilan, reflecting its deep roots in Irish culture and the various fields in which those with this name have made their mark.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Neilan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Neilan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2000s #4432 3 1

Related

Names similar to Neilan

FAQ

Neilan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Neilan in the UK right now?

In 2008, Neilan was ranked #4432 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Neilan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2008, with 3 babies registered as Neilan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Neilan?

Of Irish origin, meaning "champion" or "brave warrior".

How many people are called Neilan in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Neilan across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.