Neasa
Meaningpossibly not gentle · Irish
Neasa is a Gaelic girl name thought to mean “not gentle”, with Irish roots. Irish names are loved for their lilting sound and their links to Celtic saints and legends. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Neasa has the name Asa hiding inside it.
- GenerationNeasa peaked in 2008, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Neasa you'd meet today is about 17 years old.
- HistoryNeasa first shows up in US birth records in 2008, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million girls, 2008–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Neasa
Neasa is a girl name of Gaelic origin meaning “possibly not gentle”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Gaelic names
More Gaelic girl names
- Girl name: Nora · honor
- Girl name: Hazel · hazel tree
- Girl name: Isla · from Islay
- Unisex name: Riley · rye clearing
- Girl name: Maeve · she who intoxicates
- Unisex name: Kennedy · helmeted head
- Unisex name: Quinn · descendant of Conn
- Girl name: Alana · possibly little rock
Questions about the name Neasa
What does the name Neasa mean?
Neasa means “possibly not gentle” and comes from Irish. Name experts don't fully agree on its roots, so this is the most likely meaning rather than a certainty. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Millie (“gentle strength”), Yuna (“often gentle”), Halima (“gentle, patient”) and Mildred (“gentle strength”).
What is the origin of the name Neasa?
Neasa is Gaelic in origin, and its meaning traces back to Irish. Other Gaelic names to consider are Nora (“honor”), Hazel (“hazel tree”), Isla (“from Islay”) and Riley (“rye clearing”).
Is Neasa a boy or girl name?
Neasa is a girl name.
How popular is the name Neasa?
Neasa is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2008. It peaked at #17,504 in 2008, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Neasa?
If you like Neasa, you might also like Millie, Yuna, Halima and Mildred.
What should I know before naming my baby Neasa?
Neasa is a Gaelic girl name thought to mean “not gentle”, with Irish roots. Irish names are loved for their lilting sound and their links to Celtic saints and legends. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.