Niall

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]

Niall

Pronunciation	/niːl/ Irish: [n̠ʲiəl̪ˠ]
Gender	Male
Origin
Language(s)	Irish
Meaning	Unknown
Region of origin	Ireland
Other names
Related names	Neil Nigel Niallán (diminutive)

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 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

• 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

• 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

• List of Irish language given names
• All pages with titles containing Niall
• Neil, Nigel, probable cognates through Norse, medieval Latin and Anglo-Norman borrowings