Boy · 148th of 24,088
Alan
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
362,464
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1955
Peak Popularity Year
9,048
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Alan stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
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
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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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
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |