Neeley is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "O'Niadh," which means "descendant of Niadh." Niadh was a legendary warrior king in ancient Ireland, known for his courage and strength.
The name Neeley has been used as both a boys' and girls' name throughout history, although it is more commonly associated with males. It gained popularity during the Middle Ages in Ireland and was often passed down through generations within families.
Despite its Irish roots, Neeley is not particularly common today, even in Ireland. However, it continues to be used as an uncommon yet meaningful given name for both boys and girls who wish to honor their Irish heritage or simply prefer a unique and memorable moniker.
In addition to its Irish origins, the name Neeley has been adopted by other cultures throughout history. For example, there are records of individuals with this name living in England during the late medieval period, suggesting that it may have been brought over by Irish immigrants or settlers.
Overall, Neeley is a striking and uncommon given name with deep historical roots in Ireland. Whether you're looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for your child or simply interested in the history behind unique names like this one, Neeley is certainly worth considering.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Neeley has seen a varying degree of popularity over the years in the United States. The highest number of births recorded with the name Neeley was in 1982, with 19 newborns. This was followed by another peak in 1999, with 17 births.
However, it appears that the name Neeley has become less common over time. From 2000 onwards, the number of births with this name consistently stayed below 15 each year. The most recent years for which data is available (2020 and 2021) saw only 6 and 5 births respectively.
In total, over the span of these years from 1968 to 2021, there were 406 babies named Neeley born in the United States. While this name may not be extremely popular, it does have a small but steady presence among baby names in the country.