Alan
Alan: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈæl.ən/
Meaning and origin of Alan
Root meaning: “noble”
- A male given name from the Celtic languages.
- A male given name from Hebrew, variant of Elon.
Etymology
From Old Breton Alan, name of early Breton saints, of disputed origin and meaning; brought to England by Normans. It may have been the name of a Celtic deity, the brother of Bran, Welsh Alawn, Alun. As an early Irish name, perhaps connected with ail (“noble”). Compare French Alain.
How popular is Alan?
Since 1880, 1,076 girls and 363,313 boys in the U.S. have been named Alan (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2264 in 1962. Its highest rank for boys was #40 in 1951. In 2025 it ranked #191 for boys, with 1,915 babies given the name.
Names similar to Alan
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Celtic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Alan
Sister and brother names that share Alan's Celtic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Alan FAQ
What does the name Alan mean?
Alan traces back to a root meaning "noble". A male given name from the Celtic languages. A male given name from Hebrew, variant of Elon. From Old Breton Alan, name of early Breton saints, of disputed origin and meaning; brought to England by Normans. It may have been the name of a Celtic deity, the brother of Bran, Welsh Alawn, Alun. As an early Irish name, perhaps connected with ail (“noble”). Compare French Alain.
What is the origin of the name Alan?
Alan is listed as a name of Celtic origin.
How popular is the name Alan?
Since 1880, 1,076 girls and 363,313 boys in the U.S. have been named Alan (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2264 in 1962. Its highest rank for boys was #40 in 1951. In 2025 it ranked #191 for boys, with 1,915 babies given the name.
Is Alan a boy or girl name?
Alan is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,076 girls and 363,313 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.