Niall
Pronunciation | /ˈnaɪ(ə)l/, /niːl/ |
---|---|
Gender | Male |
Origin | |
Word/name | Irish |
Meaning | Unknown |
Region of origin | Ireland |
Other names | |
Related names | Neil, Nigel, Niallán (diminutive) |
Niall is a male given name of Irish origin. The original meaning of the name is unknown,[1] but popular modern sources have suggested that it means "champion" (derived from the Old Irish word niadh),[2]. According to John Ryan, Professor of Early and Medieval History at University College Dublin, Niall "seems to be so ancient that its meaning was lost before records began."[1]
Notable people with the name Niall[]
- Medieval times
- Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland who lived in the early-to-mid 5th century AD
- Niall Caille, High King of Ireland in the 9th century AD
- Modern times
- Niall Ashdown (b. 1964), English comedian, actor, improvisor and writer.
- Niall Ferguson (b. 1964), Historian and the Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University[3]
- Niall Horan (b. 1993), a member of the British-Irish boy band One Direction[4]
- Niall McCready, Irish Gaelic footballer
- Niall O'Brien (b. 1981), Irish cricketer
- Niall O'Donnell (b. 1998), Irish Gaelic footballer
- Niall Quinn (b. 1966), Irish former international footballer and chairman of the English club Sunderland A.F.C.
- Niall Moran (b. 1998), Irish hurler
- Niall Mackenzie (b. 1961), Scottish former professional motorcycle road racer
- Niall Matter (b. 1980), Canadian actor
- Niall McGinn (b. 1987), Northern Irish footballer
See also[]
- List of Irish language given names
- Neil, Nigel, probable cognates through Norse, medieval Latin and Anglo-Norman borrowings.
References[]
- ^ a b MacLysaght, Edward (1964). A Guide to Irish Surnames. Helicon. p. 15.
- ^ The Neill Surname
- ^ Niall Ferguson - Biography
- ^ Niall Horan at IMDb
Categories:
- Given names
- Irish-language masculine given names
- English masculine given names