Neil
[niːl]Meaning
anglicised form of the Irish name Niall, of disputed derivation
Background Story
Neil is an anglicisation of the Irish name Niall, which is of disputed origin. It has been connected to the old Celtic root *nītu- "fury, passion", to the Old Irish word nia "hero", and to Old Irish nēl "cloud". The name was borne by a few early Irish kings, notably Niall of the Nine Hostages, and was adopted by Norse raiders and settlers in Ireland in the form Njáll, who transmitted it to England and Scotland and back to Scandinavia. It is used in Icelandic, Norwegian, Old Irish, Old Norse and English.
Temperament
Variations
Niall, Neal, Neale
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