| Neel | Ishan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Dark blue, sapphire | The sun; ruler; a name of Shiva |
| Origin | sanskrit | sanskrit |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | NEEL | ee-SHAHN |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 0 |
| Peak year | 2009 (148) | 2009 (148) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Neel | Ishan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 542 | 476 |
| 2010s | 964 | 1,048 |
| 2000s | 947 | 978 |
| 1990s | 456 | 212 |
| 1980s | 289 | 23 |
| 1970s | 119 | 0 |
| 1960s | 22 | 0 |
| 1950s | 14 | 0 |
| 1940s | 5 | 0 |
| 1930s | 5 | 0 |
| 1920s | 16 | 0 |
| 1910s | 13 | 0 |
From the Sanskrit नील (nīla), 'dark blue, indigo, sapphire'. A genuine classical colour word, also the root of 'neelam' (sapphire). Note: the similar-looking English/Irish name Neil (from Gaelic Niall) is a separate, unrelated name.
From the Sanskrit ईशान (īśāna), 'ruler, master'. It is an epithet of the god Shiva, also denotes the sun and the north-eastern quarter (one of the dikpalas). A genuine, well-attested Vedic/classical term.
Neel and Ishan are given to a similar number of US babies today.
Neel means Dark blue, sapphire (sanskrit origin), while Ishan means The sun; ruler; a name of Shiva (sanskrit origin).
In US records, Neel first appears in 0 and Ishan in 0, so Neel has the longer recorded history.