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Home › Baby Names Directory › Neilson

Neilson

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Neilson

Pronounced NEEL-son /ˈniːl.sən/Medium

Meaning: Neilson is a surname meaning 'son of Neil,' from the Gaelic name Niall, variously read as 'champion,' 'passionate,' or 'cloud.' Carried as a family name in Scotland and Ireland, it was borrowed as a first name in the surname-naming fashion of the early twentieth century.Low

In 30 seconds: Neilson is a surname name, 'son of Neil,' from the Gaelic Niall. It stayed rare and peaked around 1975 (said NEEL-son).
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Origin LowScottish, Irish
MeaningNeilson is a surname meaning 'son of Neil,' from the Gaelic name Niall, variously read as 'champion,' 'passionate,' or 'cloud.' Carried as a family name in Scotland and Ireland, it was borrowed as a first name in the surname-naming fashion of the early twentieth century.
U.S. rank (2022)#11870 ↘ Falling
2022 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1975
Total births (all-time)≈ 218

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197519272022

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Neilson is a patronymic surname, 'son of Neil,' rooted in the Gaelic Niall, a name of a champion. Long a family name across Scotland and Ireland, it was taken up as an American first name, often to honor a forebear. Neilson is one of the rarer of these surname firsts.

It was never common, given to only about fifteen boys a year at its high around 1975. A boy named Neilson then is an adult today.

Did you know? The Niall behind Neilson was a legendary Irish high king, Niall of the Nine Hostages, whose name spread widely as a mark of a champion.
Overall data confidence 35%
References - Neilson — Surname 'son of Neil'; Gaelic Niall

Variations

NelsonNielsonNeil

Nicknames

NeilSonny

Famous Bearers

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If you like Neilson…

Nelson— a like 'son of Neil' surname name
Neil— the root name inside Neilson
Carson— a comparable -son surname first name
Gleason— shares the -on ending
Glennon— shares the -on ending

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Neilson mean?

It is a surname meaning 'son of Neil,' from the Gaelic Niall, 'champion' or 'cloud.'

How do you pronounce Neilson?

It is said NEEL-son /ˈniːl.sən/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Neilson a boy or girl name?

Neilson is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Neilson?

It was always rare, given to only about fifteen boys a year at its peak in the mid nineteen-seventies.

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