Boy Name · Irish Origin
Niall
Niall means “Cloud”. It is a boy's name of Irish origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Niall is a boy baby name of Irish origin, meaning "Cloud". It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Niall often also consider Newell.
Niall meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Cloud
Origin: Irish naming roots help connect Niall to related Irish baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Niall as N·I·A·L·L, with 5 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Niall is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Niall variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Nialla, Nialle, Nially, Nial.
- Nicknames: Nia and N.
- Middle names: Pair Niall with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Niall middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Newell, Neill, Nell, Nile, Niel — full picks on the sibling names for Niall guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Niall? Browse our names like Niall guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Niall
What does the name Niall mean?
Niall means "Cloud" and is of Irish origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Niall is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Niall?
Niall originates in Irish naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Niall?
Niall has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Niall a boy's or girl's name?
Niall is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Niall in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Niall sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Niall?
Names that share Niall's sound and style include Newell, Neill, Nell, Nile, Niel.
What middle names pair well with Niall?
Good middle-name fits for Niall pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Niall is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Niall is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Niall?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Niall share its rhythm without rhyming — Newell, Neill, Nell all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.