Alan
Alan is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Handsome, cheerful, or little rock.
Origin and history
Alan is a classic male name of Celtic origin, long popular across the English-speaking world. It gained widespread adoption in England following the Norman Conquest and has maintained a steady presence in the United States throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The name is historically associated with meanings of harmony, handsome appearance, or a little rock.
Popularity in the United States
363,313 babies in the United States have been named Alan since 1880. It ranks #94 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #182.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.2 %)
- NY (10.9 %)
- TX (6.8 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
- PA (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 51 |
| 1890-1900 | 144 |
| 1900-1910 | 293 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,020 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,013 |
| 1930-1940 | 16,374 |
| 1940-1950 | 50,302 |
| 1950-1960 | 83,976 |
| 1960-1970 | 61,392 |
| 1970-1980 | 24,813 |
| 1980-1990 | 26,825 |
| 1990-2000 | 24,094 |
| 2000-2010 | 29,647 |
| 2010-2019 | 24,199 |
| 2020-2029 | 12,170 |
Famous people named Alan
- Alan Turing: Mathematician, Computer Scientist
- Alan Shepard: Astronaut, Aviator
- Alan Rickman: Actor, Director
Nicknames
Al
Fun facts
- The name was introduced to England by Bretons who accompanied William the Conqueror in 1066.
- It shares etymological roots with common alternative spellings Allan and Allen.