Allan
Allan is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Little rock, handsome, or harmony.
Origin and history
Allan is a classic masculine name of Gaelic and Breton origins, commonly interpreted to mean 'little rock' or 'handsome'. It served as a traditional spelling variant of Alan, popular throughout the English-speaking world for centuries. In the United States, Allan enjoyed strong usage through the 20th century and remains a recognizable, traditional choice today.
Popularity in the United States
96,458 babies in the United States have been named Allan since 1880. It ranks #322 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #807.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.9 %)
- CA (10.4 %)
- IL (6.2 %)
- PA (5.6 %)
- MI (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 228 |
| 1890-1900 | 298 |
| 1900-1910 | 533 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,237 |
| 1920-1930 | 6,989 |
| 1930-1940 | 11,359 |
| 1940-1950 | 17,830 |
| 1950-1960 | 17,697 |
| 1960-1970 | 11,110 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,911 |
| 1980-1990 | 5,606 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,392 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,206 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,392 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,670 |
Famous people named Allan
- Allan Pinkerton: Detective, Intelligence Officer
- Allan Houston: Athlete, Sports Executive
Nicknames
Al, Albie
Fun facts
- The name was brought to England by Bretons participating in the Norman Conquest of 1066.
- Allan is the traditional Scottish spelling variant of Alan and Allen.