Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Neely
GirlIrish· “from an Irish surname”
- Meaning
- from an Irish surname
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- NEE-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,144
- US babies 2025
- 35
- Best rank
- #1,377 (1974)
- Peak year
- 1974
Meaning and origin of Neely
Neely is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “from an Irish surname”.
Neely is an Irish and Scottish surname, usually traced to Mac an Fhileadh, son of the poet, from file, poet, a title of high status in early Irish society. The surname was anglicized as McNeely and McNealy before being shortened. As a given name it is modern and rare and used mainly for girls in the US. It is said NEE-lee, with two syllables. Its sound is close to Nelly and Kiely, but the poetic meaning of the surname gives it a background of its own. Neeley and Nealy are other spellings.
Other spellings with the same sound: Neeley, Nealy.
Popularity over time
Neely first appears in US Social Security records in 1888. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,377 in 1974, the same year it reached its highest count of 75 babies. In 2025, 35 babies were named Neely, and it ranked #4,144 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,186 in 1980, #2,586 in 2000, #3,457 in 2010, and #4,144 in 2025. Of the 2,239 US girls named Neely since records began, 24% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 439 babies. Since 2010, 620 more have been named Neely.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Stacee, Alethia, Laquinta, Larae, and Rebbecca.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Neely ranked highest in Tennessee.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | #1089 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Neely is usually pronounced NEE-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with N and ends in “-ly”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Neeley and Nealy.
Middle names for Neely
A few middle names that flow with Neely: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Neely
Similar names
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Lists that include Neely
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Neely mean?
Neely is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “from an Irish surname”.
What is the origin of the name Neely?
Neely has Irish roots. Neely is an Irish and Scottish surname, usually traced to Mac an Fhileadh, son of the poet, from file, poet, a title of high status in early Irish society.
Is Neely a popular name?
Not especially. Neely ranked #4,144 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Neely a boy or girl name?
Neely is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Neely?
Neely is usually pronounced NEE-lee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings