Niall is an Irish given name, derived from the Old Irish name Níall, which means "champion" or "cloud." It has been used throughout history among the ancient Irish kingdoms and has been borne by several significant figures in Irish history, including Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary 5th-century high king of Ireland. In its various forms, such as Nollaig (meaning Christmas), Niall has been popular in Ireland for centuries, although it is less commonly used today. The name Niall has also gained international recognition due to its use by notable individuals like the Irish musician Niall Horan and the Scottish actor Niall Greig Fulton.
The name Nial has had varying popularity over the years, with periods of higher and lower usage. The highest number of births recorded was in recent years, with peaks of 8 births in 2020 and 7 births in 2023. However, there are also several years where only 5 births were recorded, including the most recent year, 2021. Overall, the total number of births from 1915 to 2023 is 133.