Boy · 149th of 16,616
Allen
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
273,148
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1951
Peak Popularity Year
5,203
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Allen 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
Allen originates from the Celtic name 'Ailin', meaning 'little rock' or 'harmony'. It evolved from Breton and Old French forms through to Middle English. The name is characterized by strength and reliability, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages and has several variants, including Alain and Alan.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈæl.ən/
Origin
Celtic
Etymology
The name Allen is derived from the Breton name 'Ailin', which means 'little rock' or 'harmony'. It is also associated with the Old French name 'Alain'.
Meaning
Little rock, harmony
Language Evolution
Ailin (Breton), Alain (Old French), Alan (Middle English), Allen (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Allen gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, particularly due to the influence of the Norman Conquest.
Variants & Derivatives
Alain, Alan, Allan, Alen
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Allen is viewed as a classic and timeless name, often associated with qualities of strength and reliability.
Famous People
Allen Ginsberg, Allen Iverson, Allen Dulles, Allen Tate
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,203 peak births in 1951
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 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 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 | 93rd of 7545 | 29,595 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 76th of 6773 | 48,870 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 85th of 7552 | 87,647 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 118th of 10718 | 40,111 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 149th of 16616 | 32,612 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 269th of 24088 | 19,552 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 428th of 23106 | 8,672 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1724th of 9107 | 403 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1749th of 9204 | 395 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2440th of 12526 | 404 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3638th of 19264 | 281 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5305th of 27321 | 255 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 15388th of 35406 | 73 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 17754th of 30306 | 36 |