Niall is a male

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

of Irish origin. The original meaning of the name is unknown, but popular modern sources have suggested that it means "champion" (derived from the Old Irish word ''niadh''),. 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."

Notable people with the name Niall

;Medieval times *

Niall of the Nine Hostages Niall ''Noígíallach'' (; Old Irish "having nine hostages"), or Niall of the Nine Hostages, was a legendary, semi-historical Irish king who was the ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasties that dominated Ireland from the 6th to the 10th centuries. ...

, 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 Niall Carolan (born 18 April 2002) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Cuchulainns and the Cavan county team. Playing career Club Carolan joined the Cuchulainns at a young age and joined the club's senior team in 2020. Inter-county Mi ...

(b. 2002), Irish Gaelic footballer * Niall Ferguson (b. 1964), Historian and the

Laurence A. Tisch Laurence Alan Tisch (March 5, 1923 – November 15, 2003) was an American businessman, investor and billionaire. He was the CEO of CBS television network from 1986 to 1995. With his brother Bob Tisch, he was part owner of Loews Corporation. ...

Professor of History at Harvard University *

Niall Horan Niall James Horan ( ; born 13 September 1993) is an Irish singer-songwriter. He rose to prominence as a member of the boy band One Direction, formed in 2010 on the singing competition ''The X Factor''. The group released five albums and went ...

(b. 1993), a member of the British-Irish boy band One Direction * Niall Mackenzie (b. 1961), Scottish former professional motorcycle road racer *

Niall Matter Niall Matter ( ; born October 20, 1980) is a Canadian-American actor. Following recovery from a serious accident sustained while working on an oil rig, Matter chose to pursue a full-time acting career. He received his first significant break in ...

(b. 1980), Canadian actor *

Niall McCready Niall McCready is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played for Aodh Ruadh and the Donegal county team. He won an Ulster Under-21 Football Championship medal with Donegal in 1995. He started the first game of Brian McEniff's last spell a ...

, Irish Gaelic footballer *

Niall McGinn Niall McGinn (born 20 July 1987) is a Northern Irish professional footballer, who plays for Scottish Championship club Dundee. McGinn has also played for Dungannon Swifts, Derry City, Celtic, Brentford, Aberdeen (two spells) and South Korea ...

(b. 1987), Northern Irish footballer * Niall Moran (b. 1998), Irish hurler * Niall O'Brien (b. 1981), Irish cricketer * Niall O'Donnell (b. 1998), Irish Gaelic footballer * Niall Quinn (b. 1966), Irish former international footballer and chairman of the English club Sunderland A.F.C. Fictional characters * 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''

References

{{given name Irish-language masculine given names English masculine given names

Notable people with the name Niall

See also

References