Niall is an Irish name of uncertain origin that is usually explained as "champion" or "cloud" and gave rise to the anglicized Neil. Niall of the Nine Hostages was a legendary high king of Ireland, and singer Niall Horan of One Direction is the best-known bearer today. In the United States the Irish spelling remains unusual: number 2563 in 2000, a best rank of number 1578 in 2024 and number 1706 in 2025.