Niall
| Pronunciation | /niːl/ Irish: [n̠ʲiəl̪ˠ] |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Origin | |
| Language(s) | Irish |
| Meaning | Unknown |
| Region of origin | Ireland |
| Other names | |
| Related names |
|
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
[edit]Medieval times
[edit]- 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
[edit]- Niall Carolan (born 2002), Irish Gaelic footballer
- Niall Ferguson (born 1964), Historian and the Laurence A. Tisch professor of history at Harvard University
- Niall Horan (born 1993), a member of the British-Irish boy band One Direction
- Niall Mackenzie (born 1961), Scottish former professional motorcycle road racer
- Niall Matter (born 1980), Canadian actor
- Niall McCready, Irish Gaelic footballer
- Niall McGinn (born 1987), Northern Irish footballer
- Niall Moran (born 1983), Irish hurler
- Niall O'Brien (born 1981), Irish cricketer
- Niall O'Donnell (born 1998), Irish Gaelic footballer
- Niall Quinn (born 1966), Irish former international footballer and chairman of the English club Sunderland A.F.C.
As a surname
[edit]- Brenda Niall (born 1930), Australian writer, aunt of Jake and Richard
- Jake Niall, Australian sports journalist, cousin of Richard
- Richard Niall, Australian judge
Fictional characters
[edit]- Niall, a Circle Mage from Dragon Age: Origins
- Hunter Niall from Sweep
- Niall Brigant from The Southern Vampire Mysteries
- Niall MacDonnell from the Honorverse
- Niall Rafferty from Hollyoaks
- Niall from Xenoblade Chronicles 2
- Pedron Niall from The Wheel of Time
- Commander Niall from Elden Ring
See also
[edit]- List of Irish language given names
- All pages with titles containing Niall
- Neil, Nigel, probable cognates through Norse, medieval Latin and Anglo-Norman borrowings
References
[edit]- ^ a b MacLysaght, Edward (1964). A Guide to Irish Surnames. Helicon. p. 15.
- ^ The Neill Surname
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