Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Harlan
BoyEnglish, Old English· “from an English place name”
- Meaning
- from an English place name
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- HAHR-luhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #617
- US babies 2025
- 454
- Best rank
- #253 (1924)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Harlan
Harlan is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
Harlan is an English surname taken from place names such as Harland. The name is usually explained through Old English elements meaning hare and land, or possibly army and land, so the exact sense is uncertain. It moved into use as a first name in the United States, where it has a long presence in the South and in Kentucky, which has a Harlan County. Harlan has a relaxed, rugged Americana feel, similar to Harrison and Holden. It is a comfortable choice for parents who like vintage surname names.
Popularity over time
Harlan has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 116 different years. Its best national rank was #253 in 1924, the same year it reached its highest count of 519 babies. In 2025, 454 babies were named Harlan, and it ranked #617 nationally. That is 65% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #319 in 1920, #408 in 1950, #976 in 1980, #1,491 in 2000, #1,169 in 2010, and #617 in 2025. Of the 26,481 US boys named Harlan since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 3,891 babies. Since 2010, 4,856 more have been named Harlan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Irwin, Morton, Burton, Norbert, and Vito.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Harlan ranked highest in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Iowa.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 92% of US babies named Harlan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Harlan is usually pronounced HAHR-luhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Harlan
A few middle names that flow with Harlan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Harlan
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Lists that include Harlan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Harlan mean?
Harlan is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
What is the origin of the name Harlan?
Harlan has English and Old English roots. Harlan is an English surname taken from place names such as Harland.
Is Harlan a popular name?
Yes. Harlan ranked #617 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Harlan a boy or girl name?
Harlan is mainly a boy's name. About 92% of US babies named Harlan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Harlan?
Harlan is usually pronounced HAHR-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