Neely is a unique and distinctive name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Niall," which means "champion" or "cloud." The name Niall was popular among ancient Irish kings, including Niall of the Nine Hostages, who was a legendary high king of Ireland in the 4th century.
The name Neely is thought to have emerged as a variant spelling of the name Niall. It is also sometimes associated with the Irish surname "O'Neill," which means "descendant of Niall." Over time, Neely has evolved into a given name for both boys and girls, although it is still relatively rare.
There are no major historical figures or famous people named Neely that we know of, but the name does have a certain charm and uniqueness that makes it appealing to some. It is also easy to pronounce and spell, making it a practical choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child.
Overall, Neely is a name with an interesting Irish heritage and a meaning that suggests strength and leadership. While it may not be as well-known as some other names of Irish origin, its unique spelling and sound make it stand out and memorable.
The name Neely has a fascinating history of usage in the United States, as evidenced by the statistical data provided.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Neely was quite rare, with only five births recorded each year between 1888 and 1930. However, it appears that something changed in the mid-1960s, as the number of babies named Neely began to rise sharply.
The year 1973 marked a turning point for the name Neely, with an impressive 41 births recorded that year. This was followed by even higher numbers in subsequent years, reaching a peak of 75 births in 1974. It seems that during this period, the name Neely gained significant popularity among parents in the United States.
However, this trend did not continue indefinitely. After 1976, the number of babies named Neely began to decrease once again. Between 1980 and 2005, the annual number of births with the name Neely fluctuated between a low of 15 in 1989 and a high of 68 in 2005.
Since then, the popularity of the name Neely has continued to decline. Between 2006 and 2023, there have been fewer than 55 births with the name Neely each year, with the exception of 2014 when there were 52 births recorded.
In total, over the period from 1888 to 2023, there have been a combined 2,179 babies named Neely in the United States. While this is not an overwhelmingly popular name, it has certainly made its mark on American history and continues to be used today, albeit less frequently than in decades past.
Overall, the statistics for the name Neely demonstrate how trends in naming can change over time, with periods of popularity followed by declines in usage. It's fascinating to consider what factors may have contributed to these shifts in popularity for the name Neely throughout history.