UK boy's name
Neon
A Greek name meaning the bright glowing gas commonly seen in illuminated signs.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Neon is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Neon popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4608, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 6 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2013 to 2020. 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.
The latest count is about 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Neon. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Neon ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 6 boys were registered as Neon.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Neon as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4608
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2014
6 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Neon mean?
The name Neon originates from the Greek word "neon," which means "new" or "fresh." It was initially the name of a rare gaseous element discovered in 1898 by the British scientists Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers. The vivid reddish-orange glow of neon gas, when an electric current passes through it, has made it a popular choice for illuminated signs and displays.
The use of Neon as a given name is relatively modern, with no recorded instances of it being used as a personal name before the 20th century. It is believed that the name gained popularity after the discovery of the neon gas, as parents were inspired by the novelty and vibrant nature of the element.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Neon being used was in the case of Neon Dion, a Greek-American singer and songwriter born in 1979. Neon Dion is known for her hit songs like "I Am" and "Wildfire."
Another notable bearer of the name Neon is Neon Nerd, a Canadian YouTuber and video game commentator born in 1991. His real name is unknown, but he has gained a significant following for his gaming content and humorous commentary.
In the realm of literature, Neon is the name of a character in the novel "The Neon Bible" by John Kennedy Toole, published in 1989. The novel explores themes of alienation and religious fanaticism in the American South.
While the name Neon is not commonly found in historical records or ancient texts, it has gained popularity in recent decades as a unique and unconventional name choice. Its association with the vibrant neon gas and its modern origins have made it an appealing option for parents seeking a name that stands out.
Other notable individuals named Neon include Neon Philion, a Canadian singer and songwriter born in 1988; Neon Maskalick, an American artist and designer born in 1974; and Neon Bashi, an Albanian basketball player born in 1985.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Neon over time
The chart below shows babies named Neon registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2013 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Neon, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Neon by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Neon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4608 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4117 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Neon
- Noah 72,596
- Nathan 46,860
- Nicholas 15,983
- Nathaniel 12,151
- Niall 5,746
- Nicolas 3,825
- Nico 3,532
- Nate 2,029
- Nikodem 1,872
- Noel 1,865
- Ned 1,614
- Neo 1,563
FAQ
Neon: questions and answers
How popular is the name Neon in the UK right now?
In 2020, Neon was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Neon most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 6 babies registered as Neon in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Neon?
A Greek name meaning the bright glowing gas commonly seen in illuminated signs.
How many people are called Neon in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Neon across the 4 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.