Boy · 140th of 6,773
Allan
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
96,483
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
2,192
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Allan 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 Allan has Scottish roots and means 'little rock' or 'harmony'. It evolved from the Gaelic 'Ailin' to its current form. The name is linked to traits of reliability and strength, with no significant biblical relevance. It has been in use since the Middle Ages and remains popular today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈæl.ən/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
The name Allan is derived from the Gaelic name 'Ailin', meaning 'little rock' or 'harmony'. It is often associated with the ancient Scottish clan of Allan.
Meaning
little rock, harmony
Language Evolution
Ailin, Alan, Allan
Historical Usage
Allan gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages and has remained a common name in various forms since then.
Variants & Derivatives
Alan, Alain, Alen
Modern Popularity & Image
Allan is perceived as a classic and strong name, often associated with reliability and strength.
Famous People
Allan Poe, Allan Turing, Allan Holdsworth
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 2,192 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 226th of 7545 | 8,921 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 140th of 6773 | 22,719 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 166th of 7552 | 32,424 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 293rd of 10718 | 11,072 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 382nd of 16616 | 8,962 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 513th of 24088 | 7,797 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 779th of 23106 | 3,745 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6965th of 9107 | 17 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4767th of 9204 | 62 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6066th of 12526 | 74 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 9338th of 19264 | 54 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 14169th of 27321 | 46 |