Galen
Galen is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Calm, peaceful, or serene.
Origin and history
Galen is an ancient Greek name derived from Galenos, meaning calm or serene. It historically honors Galen of Pergamon, the renowned second-century physician and philosopher whose medical works dominated Western science for centuries. In the United States, it is a steady, classical choice with a understated, intellectual feel.
Popularity in the United States
16,500 babies in the United States have been named Galen since 1880. It ranks #916 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1678.
States where it is most popular
- PA (13.3 %)
- CA (11.6 %)
- KS (9.8 %)
- OH (7.6 %)
- IA (6.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 6 |
| 1890-1900 | 24 |
| 1900-1910 | 52 |
| 1910-1920 | 519 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,039 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,352 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,445 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,938 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,957 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,642 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,542 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,447 |
| 2000-2010 | 791 |
| 2010-2019 | 497 |
| 2020-2029 | 249 |
Famous people named Galen
- Galen Gering: Actor
- Galen Rupp: Athlete, Runner
- Galen Fott: Animator, Director
Fun facts
- The name owes much of its historical renown to Galen of Pergamon, whose medical theories influenced Western medicine for over a millennium.
- It shares root etymology with Galene, the ancient Greek minor goddess of calm seas.