O'Neill is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Ó Néill" which means "descendant of Niall". The name Niall itself comes from the ancient Celtic word "niadh" meaning "champion". The O'Neill clan was one of the most powerful and influential families in Ireland throughout history. They were known as the kings of Ulster, a province in Northern Ireland, and their line can be traced back to the 10th century. The name O'Neill has been associated with many notable figures throughout Irish history, including Hugh O'Neill who led the resistance against English rule in the late 16th century. Today, O'Neill is still a popular surname and given name in Ireland and among people of Irish descent around the world.
Based on the statistics provided, the name O'Neill has seen a varied but steady presence among newborns in the United States over the past century. The earliest recorded birth with this name was in 1918, with five babies given the name that year.
The popularity of the name peaked during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with a total of six births occurring in both 1988 and 1989. This trend continued into the new millennium, with another peak recorded in 2000, also with six births.
Interestingly, the name O'Neill experienced a recent resurgence in popularity, with eight births recorded in 2010. However, this figure has since stabilized, with five or six births occurring each year from 2013 onwards.
Overall, based on these statistics, the name O'Neill has been given to a total of 87 newborns in the United States over the past century. While not highly popular at any given time, it has maintained a steady presence among American baby names throughout this period.