Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Alan
BoyBreton· “uncertain; possibly little rock or handsome”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly little rock or handsome (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Breton
- Pronunciation
- A-luhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #191
- US babies 2025
- 1,915
- Best rank
- #40 (1951)
- Peak year
- 1955
Meaning and origin of Alan
Alan is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly little rock or handsome”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Breton roots.
Alan is an old Celtic name that came to England with Breton followers of William the Conqueror. Its meaning is uncertain: it is sometimes linked to words for "little rock" or "handsome", while others connect it with the Alans, a nomadic people who settled in parts of Gaul, and none of these explanations is certain. Alan has long been used in Scotland, and the English mathematician Alan Turing, a pioneer of computer science, is among its most famous bearers. The name is short, calm and dependable, with spellings including Allan and Allen.
Popularity over time
Alan first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 143 different years, starting in 1882. Its best national rank was #40 in 1951, and the most babies received it in 1955, when 9,037 were named Alan. In 2025, 1,915 babies were named Alan, and it ranked #191 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #263 in 1920, #41 in 1950, #112 in 1980, #161 in 2000, #156 in 2010, and #191 in 2025. Of the 363,313 US boys named Alan since records began, 23% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 61,392 babies. Since 2010, 36,369 more have been named Alan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Danny, Carl, Stanley, Bruce, and Jerome.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Alan ranked highest in Texas, California, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #128 | 306 |
| California | #129 | 318 |
| Florida | #134 | 162 |
| Arizona | #141 | 63 |
| New Jersey | #144 | 67 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Alan is usually pronounced A-luhn, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Allen and Allan.
Middle names for Alan
A few middle names that flow with Alan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Alan
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Lists that include Alan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alan mean?
Alan is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly little rock or handsome”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Breton roots.
What is the origin of the name Alan?
Alan has Breton roots. Alan is an old Celtic name that came to England with Breton followers of William the Conqueror.
Is Alan a popular name?
Yes. Alan ranked #191 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Alan a boy or girl name?
Alan is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Alan?
Alan is usually pronounced A-luhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings