Alan Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Alan has Celtic origins, derived from the word meaning 'noble' or 'rock.' It evolved from Alaunus to Alan through various historical forms. The name is characterized by its strength and reliability, with no biblical significance. It gained popularity in England during the medieval period, especially after the Norman Conquest, and has several variants like Alain and Allan.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Alan"
Pronunciation
/ˈælən/
Origin
Celtic
Etymology
The name Alan is believed to originate from the Breton name 'Alaunus', which is derived from a Celtic word meaning 'rock' or 'noble.' It was brought to Britain by the Bretons in the 5th and 6th centuries.
Meaning
noble, rock
Language Evolution
Alaunus, Alanus, Alan
Historical Usage
The name Alan gained popularity in medieval England and became well-established due to the influence of the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Variants & Derivatives
Alain, Alen, Allan, Allen
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary times, Alan is viewed as a classic and strong name. It is commonly associated with intelligence and reliability.
Famous People
Alan Turing, a mathematician and logician, Alan Greenspan, an economist, Alan Rickman, an actor
📊 Alan Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 9,048 peak births in 1955
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Alan" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Alan". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 2 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Alan" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Alan"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Alan"
"Alan" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 262nd of 7545 | 7,234 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 96th of 6773 | 39,779 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 47th of 7552 | 151,370 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 94th of 10718 | 50,444 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 114th of 16616 | 41,683 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 148th of 24088 | 43,351 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 169th of 23106 | 27,305 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6965th of 9107 | 17 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4068th of 9204 | 90 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2882nd of 12526 | 309 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4019th of 19264 | 243 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5591st of 27321 | 236 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 11045th of 35406 | 135 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16186th of 30306 | 46 |
Regional Popularity of "Alan" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
15.47% 219th/1416 |
11.02% 152nd/1379 |
26.16% 619th/2366 |
15.59% 178th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
5.82% 90th/1546 |
3.47% 54th/1556 |
10.24% 241st/2353 |
5.11% 79th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
1.93% 43rd/2227 |
1.52% 37th/2430 |
3.01% 86th/2853 |
1.62% 45th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
2.89% 85th/2937 |
1.95% 68th/3483 |
3.47% 122nd/3518 |
2.45% 99th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
3.28% 121st/3685 |
2.50% 112th/4475 |
2.56% 133rd/5194 |
1.88% 119th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
4.04% 185th/4582 |
3.12% 161st/5164 |
2.00% 146th/7313 |
1.46% 109th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
6.15% 245th/3984 |
4.41% 198th/4487 |
2.46% 168th/6822 |
1.91% 120th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Alan" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
100.00% 2430th/2430 |
- |
100.00% 2775th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
60.19% 3802nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
87.11% 6501st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Alan"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Alan" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Alan" in the United States
The name Alan is most popular in Hawaii, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Alan has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Alan' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 262nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 96th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 47th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 94th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 114th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 148th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 169th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6965th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4068th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2882nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4019th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5591st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11045th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16186th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Alan' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.