Niall is a male given name 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, 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 (b. 2002), Irish Gaelic footballer Niall Ferguson (b. 1964), Historian and the Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University Niall Horan (b. 1993), a member of the British-Irish boy band One Direction Niall Mackenzie (b. 1961), Scottish former professional motorcycle road racer Niall Matter (b. 1980), Canadian actor Niall McCready, Irish Gaelic footballer Niall McGinn (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 See also List of Irish language given names Neil, Nigel, probable cognates through Norse, medieval Latin and Anglo-Norman borrowings. References Irish-language masculine given names English masculine given names