Alan Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Alan Name Meaning

Fact: Alan Turing, a pioneering computer scientist, cracked the Enigma code during World War II​

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A Deep Dive

Alan Overview

Meaning

Handsome, cheerful, precious

Gender

Boy

Origin

Gaelic

Etymology

The name Alan is of Celtic origin, believed to mean “handsome” or “cheerful.” It has been adapted through various languages, including Breton, Old French, and Middle English.

Pronunciation

/ˈæl.ən/

Popularity

Alan is a favored name in countries like France and Spain. In the USA, it held a ranking around 200th in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Classic, Short, Traditional

Associated Traits

Dependable, friendly, creative, empathetic

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Saint Alanus de Insulis, also known as Alan of Lille, was a significant medieval theologian and poet.

Name Day

April 26th (Saint Alanus de Insulis)
A Deep Dive

Alan Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Allan, Allen, Alen, Alun, Alin

Common Nicknames

Alie, Lanny, Alie

Diminutives

Al, Lan, Ali, Ally, Len

Famous People

  • Alan Rickman
    (British Actor)
  • Alan Turing
    (English Mathematician)
  • Alan Shepard
    (American Astronaut)
  • Alan Watts
    (British Philosopher)
  • Alan Ladd
    (American Actor)
  • Alan Arkin
    (American Actor and Director)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Alan Grant
    ("Jurassic Park," Film)
  • "Alan's Journey"
    (Novel)
  • Alan Harper
    ("Two and a Half Men," TV Series)
  • "Alan and the Secret Garden"
    (Children's Book)

What Is the Meaning of Alan?

The name Alan means “little rock” or “handsome.” Alans often exude charm and confidence, evoking qualities of stability and attractiveness.

What Is the Origin of The Name Alan?

The name Alan has roots in Celtic and Breton origins. Historically, it was popularized in medieval France and England, particularly through the influence of Breton settlers and the spread of the Norman Conquest.

Alan Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Alan in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1972021#1892022#1682023
Top 3 Rankings#401951#411950#421952

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Alan

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023168
(+21 from 2022)
2159
(+155 from 2022)
0.11790
2022189
(+8 from 2021)
2004
(+75 from 2021)
0.10700
2021197
(-3 from 2020)
1929
(-36 from 2020)
0.10296
2020194
(-12 from 2019)
1965
(-176 from 2019)
0.10624
2019182
(-8 from 2018)
2141
(-109 from 2018)
0.11141
2018174
(-15 from 2017)
2250
(-192 from 2017)
0.11576
2017159
(-4 from 2016)
2442
(-188 from 2016)
0.12339
2016155
(+12 from 2015)
2630
(+144 from 2015)
0.12984
2015167
(+3 from 2014)
2486
(-13 from 2014)
0.12160
2014170
(-17 from 2013)
2499
(-108 from 2013)
0.12195
2013153
(+17 from 2012)
2607
(+322 from 2012)
0.12901
2012170
(-6 from 2011)
2285
(-57 from 2011)
0.11261
2011164
(-8 from 2010)
2342
(-171 from 2010)
0.11529
2010156
(-14 from 2009)
2513
(-334 from 2009)
0.12232
2009142
(-7 from 2008)
2847
(-180 from 2008)
0.13423
2008135
(-6 from 2007)
3027
(-222 from 2007)
0.13883
2007129
(-7 from 2006)
3249
(-225 from 2006)
0.14668
2006122
(+6 from 2005)
3474
(+269 from 2005)
0.15846
2005128
(+4 from 2004)
3205
(+143 from 2004)
0.15066
2004132
(-1 from 2003)
3062
(-36 from 2003)
0.14489
2003131
(+19 from 2002)
3098
(+473 from 2002)
0.14744
2002150
(-2 from 2001)
2625
(-19 from 2001)
0.12702
2001148
(+13 from 2000)
2644
(+229 from 2000)
0.12783
2000161
(+3 from 1999)
2415
(+166 from 1999)
0.11564
1999164
(-3 from 1998)
2249
(+111 from 1998)
0.11030
1998161
(-3 from 1997)
2138
(-39 from 1997)
0.10544
1997158
(-15 from 1996)
2177
(-270 from 1996)
0.10897
1996143
(+10 from 1995)
2447
(+154 from 1995)
0.12212
1995153
(-9 from 1994)
2293
(-140 from 1994)
0.11400
1994144
(-12 from 1993)
2433
(-131 from 1993)
0.11936
1993132
(-3 from 1992)
2564
(-43 from 1992)
0.12413
1992129
(-1 from 1991)
2607
(+62 from 1991)
0.12419
1991128
(-2 from 1990)
2545
(-95 from 1990)
0.12006
1990126
(-6 from 1989)
2640
(-93 from 1989)
0.12267
1989120
(-10 from 1988)
2733
(-21 from 1988)
0.13039
1988110
(+2 from 1987)
2754
(+168 from 1987)
0.13754
1987112
(-5 from 1986)
2586
(-62 from 1986)
0.13260
1986107
(+2 from 1985)
2648
(-34 from 1985)
0.13780
1985109
(-4 from 1984)
2682
(-22 from 1984)
0.13937
1984105
(-3 from 1983)
2704
(-68 from 1983)
0.14408
1983102
(+5 from 1982)
2772
(+85 from 1982)
0.14875
1982107
(+5 from 1981)
2687
(+96 from 1981)
0.14238
1981112
No change from 1980
2591
(-80 from 1980)
0.13912
1980112
(+4 from 1979)
2671
(+348 from 1979)
0.14401
1979116
(+6 from 1978)
2323
(+201 from 1978)
0.12968
1978122
(+5 from 1977)
2122
(-12 from 1977)
0.12419
1977127
(-12 from 1976)
2134
(-52 from 1976)
0.12484
1976115
No change from 1975
2186
(-63 from 1975)
0.13390
1975115
(+3 from 1974)
2249
(+18 from 1974)
0.13862
1974118
(-3 from 1973)
2231
(-39 from 1973)
0.13685
1973115
(-5 from 1972)
2270
(-309 from 1972)
0.14068
1972110
(-11 from 1971)
2579
(-589 from 1971)
0.15406
197199
(-8 from 1970)
3168
(-384 from 1970)
0.17427
197091
(-15 from 1969)
3552
(-302 from 1969)
0.18648
196976
(-2 from 1968)
3854
(-123 from 1968)
0.21070
196874
(-13 from 1967)
3977
(-595 from 1967)
0.22400
196761
(-4 from 1966)
4572
(-371 from 1966)
0.25694
196657
(+2 from 1965)
4943
(-671 from 1965)
0.27195
196559
(-6 from 1964)
5614
(-1197 from 1964)
0.29632
196453
(+3 from 1963)
6811
(-120 from 1963)
0.33601
196356
(-3 from 1962)
6931
(-787 from 1962)
0.33570
196253
(-2 from 1961)
7718
(-895 from 1961)
0.36723
196151
(-1 from 1960)
8613
(+256 from 1960)
0.39931
196050
No change from 1959
8357
(+208 from 1959)
0.38594
195950
(-1 from 1958)
8149
(-80 from 1958)
0.37614
195849
(-1 from 1957)
8229
(+22 from 1957)
0.38188
195748
(-4 from 1956)
8207
(-527 from 1956)
0.37494
195644
(-1 from 1955)
8734
(-299 from 1955)
0.40695
195543
No change from 1954
9033
(+321 from 1954)
0.43215
195443
No change from 1953
8712
(+259 from 1953)
0.42105
195343
(-1 from 1952)
8453
(+144 from 1952)
0.42218
195242
(-2 from 1951)
8309
(-100 from 1951)
0.42107
195140
(+1 from 1950)
8409
(+670 from 1950)
0.43987
195041
(+4 from 1949)
7739
(+484 from 1949)
0.42550
194945
(+1 from 1948)
7255
(-139 from 1948)
0.40261
194846
(-1 from 1947)
7394
(-429 from 1947)
0.41475
194745
(+4 from 1946)
7823
(+1333 from 1946)
0.42114
194649
(+3 from 1945)
6490
(+1417 from 1945)
0.39324
194552
(+3 from 1944)
5073
(+796 from 1944)
0.36990
194455
(+12 from 1943)
4277
(+422 from 1943)
0.30788
194367
(+14 from 1942)
3855
(+721 from 1942)
0.26502
194281
(+3 from 1941)
3134
(+510 from 1941)
0.22254
194184
(+4 from 1940)
2624
(+247 from 1940)
0.20911
194088
(-3 from 1939)
2377
(+47 from 1939)
0.20039
193985
(+6 from 1938)
2330
(+89 from 1938)
0.20559
193891
(+12 from 1937)
2241
(+395 from 1937)
0.19719
1937103
(+5 from 1936)
1846
(+91 from 1936)
0.16879
1936108
(+14 from 1935)
1755
(+330 from 1935)
0.16490
1935122
(+2 from 1934)
1425
(+56 from 1934)
0.13323
1934124
(-2 from 1933)
1369
(+24 from 1933)
0.12892
1933122
(+5 from 1932)
1345
(+6 from 1932)
0.13184
1932127
(-7 from 1931)
1339
(-84 from 1931)
0.12462
1931120
(+16 from 1930)
1423
(+122 from 1930)
0.13302
1930136
(+10 from 1929)
1301
(+200 from 1929)
0.11518
1929146
(+11 from 1928)
1101
(+137 from 1928)
0.09940
1928157
(+21 from 1927)
964
(+156 from 1927)
0.08448
1927178
(-4 from 1926)
808
(-28 from 1926)
0.06954
1926174
(+5 from 1925)
836
(+32 from 1925)
0.07298
1925179
(+38 from 1924)
804
(+179 from 1924)
0.06983
1924217
(+4 from 1923)
625
(+37 from 1923)
0.05346
1923221
(+35 from 1922)
588
(+109 from 1922)
0.05193
1922256
(+33 from 1921)
479
(+104 from 1921)
0.04257
1921289
(-26 from 1920)
375
(-58 from 1920)
0.03295
1920263
(+36 from 1919)
433
(+103 from 1919)
0.03934
1919299
(+3 from 1918)
330
(-3 from 1918)
0.03250
1918302
(-3 from 1917)
333
(+23 from 1917)
0.03176
1917299
(+39 from 1916)
310
(+59 from 1916)
0.03231
1916338
(+8 from 1915)
251
(+13 from 1915)
0.02719
1915346
(-2 from 1914)
238
(+54 from 1914)
0.02702
1914344
(-23 from 1913)
184
(+26 from 1913)
0.02693
1913321
(+60 from 1912)
158
(+56 from 1912)
0.02946
1912381
(-2 from 1911)
102
(+47 from 1911)
0.02259
1911379
(-58 from 1910)
55
(-4 from 1910)
0.02278
1910321
(+27 from 1909)
59
(+14 from 1909)
0.02830
1909348
(+81 from 1908)
45
(+14 from 1908)
0.02544
1908429
(-70 from 1907)
31
(-7 from 1907)
0.01863
1907359
(+52 from 1906)
38
(+10 from 1906)
0.02396
1906411
(+52 from 1905)
28
(+5 from 1905)
0.01944
1905463
(-84 from 1904)
23
(-6 from 1904)
0.01606
1904379
(+14 from 1903)
29
(+4 from 1903)
0.02094
1903393
(-13 from 1902)
25
(-2 from 1902)
0.01933
1902380
(+42 from 1901)
27
(+7 from 1901)
0.02034
1901422
(+8 from 1900)
20
(-7 from 1900)
0.01730
1900430
(+51 from 1899)
27
(+11 from 1899)
0.01665
1899481
(+92 from 1898)
16
(+2 from 1898)
0.01389
1898573
(-135 from 1897)
14
(-5 from 1897)
0.01060
1897438
(+154 from 1896)
19
(+6 from 1896)
0.01558
1896592
(-166 from 1895)
13
(-8 from 1895)
0.01007
1895426
(+205 from 1894)
21
(+10 from 1894)
0.01658
1894631
(-59 from 1893)
11
(-1 from 1893)
0.00881
1893572
(-92 from 1892)
12
(-5 from 1892)
0.00991
1892480
(+155 from 1891)
17
(+8 from 1891)
0.01293
1891635
(-69 from 1890)
9
(-3 from 1890)
0.00824
1890566
(+62 from 1889)
12
(+2 from 1889)
0.01003
1889628
(+289 from 1888)
10
(+4 from 1888)
0.00840
1888917
(+4 from 1887)
6
(+1 from 1887)
0.00462
1887921
(+38 from 1886)
5
No change from 1886
0.00457
1886959
(-355 from 1885)
5
(-5 from 1885)
0.00420
1885604
(+59 from 1884)
10
(+1 from 1884)
0.00862
1884663
(+174 from 1882)
9
(+3 from 1882)
0.00733
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1882837
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00492
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Alan

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1122021#1132022#1082023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1592021#1582022#1462023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1172021#1102022#992023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1772021#1362022#1132023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2782021#2562022#2562023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3392021#4352022#3932023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#4572021#3752022#3752023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2362021#2212022#2152023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2142021#2132022#1342023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1572021#1622022#1362023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2272021#5712022#3102023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2312021#2302022#2212023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3172021#2882022#2772023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2802021#2202022#1692023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2282021#2482022#2012023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1822021#1622022#2152023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3892021#8652022#3522023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2562021#2842022#3032023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1982021#1892022#2862023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2102021#2462022#1962023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1422021#1762022#1502023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2222021#1902022#1572023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2932021#2462022#2572023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2332021#2482022#1772023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1542021#1382022#1202023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2352021#1682022#2122023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2262021#2102022#1692023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#2382021#2832022#1902023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1982021#2102022#2452023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#4512021#3892022#2402023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2292021#1812022#1962023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3292021#4532022#3262023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2282021#1962022#3302023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1882003#1362004#1892005

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1642003#1752007#2282009

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2672021#2982022#2262023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1422015#1412021#1972023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1952020#1872022#1452023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2522021#2312022#2762023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2432004#2492007#2932014

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3292020#2302022#3352023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2212021#1832022#2092023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1682006#1872014#2292016

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2252009#2082019#2032023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1452021#1542022#1412023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1541994#1641997#2292013

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1721991#1621993#2452013

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#911990#1161992#1292001

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1972018#2032019#1602022

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1271996#1402011#1202018

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1021993#1401994#1492005

Popularity Rankings for Alan in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan flagKazakhstan#62022#72023#92024

Popularity in Medieval England

Medieval England flagMedieval England#241377-1381

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#352021#302022#462023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#482015#302016#412017

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#362021#382022#392023

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#442020#492021

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#872020#812021#842022

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#812020#1072021

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#982019#872020#842021

Popularity in Russia (Moscow)

Russia (Moscow) flagRussia (Moscow)#942022#912023#902024

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#922018#952022

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#931981#991982#1001983

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1252012#1222013#1182015

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1501998#1911999#1862000

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1542007#1702008#1972009

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#1552021#1642022#2442023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1862021#1732022#3192023

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#1921971#1821972#1831973

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#4432008#2242012#3392014

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3142021#3082022#2472023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2482020#2842021#2832022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#2582021#2782022#2852023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2662021#3522022#3482023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2862021#3422022#3042023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#2932022#3032023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3122019#2982020#3522021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3252020#4192021#3512022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3542020#4522021#5732022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Alan a Name for Boys or Girls?

Alan is a name commonly used for boys. Its roots in history and literature, along with notable male figures named Alan, reinforce its association with boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Alan

Alan in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Alan Rickman (Actor, 1946–2016): A British actor celebrated for his roles in "Harry Potter" and "Die Hard."
  • Alan Turing (Mathematician, 1912–1954): An English mathematician who was a pioneer in computer science and helped break the Enigma code during WWII.
  • Alan Shepard (Astronaut, 1923–1998): The first American astronaut to travel into space.
  • Alan Watts (Philosopher, 1915–1973): A British philosopher who popularized Eastern philosophy in the West.
  • Alan Ladd (Actor, 1913–1964): An American actor recognized for his role in "Shane."
  • Alan Arkin (Actor, born 1934): An American actor and director who won an Academy Award for his role in "Little Miss Sunshine."
  • Alan Alda (Actor, born 1936): An American actor best known for his role in the TV series "MAS*H."
  • Alan Greenspan (Economist, born 1926): An American economist who served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006.
  • Alan Moore (Writer, born 1953): A British writer celebrated for his graphic novels "Watchmen" and "V for Vendetta."
  • Alan Sugar (Entrepreneur, born 1947): A British entrepreneur and host of the TV show "The Apprentice."
  • Alan Bennett (Playwright, born 1934): A British playwright known for his works "The History Boys" and "Talking Heads."
  • Alan Thicke (Actor, 1947–2016): A Canadian actor and TV host recognized for his role in "Growing Pains."
  • Alan Cumming (Actor, born 1965): A Scottish actor known for his roles in "The Good Wife" and "X-Men."
  • Alan Grant ("Jurassic Park," 1993 Film): Dr. Alan Grant, a renowned paleontologist, faces the terrifying adventure of a lifetime when he visits a dinosaur theme park gone wrong.
  • "Alan's Journey" (2015 Novel): A captivating tale of Alan, a man who sets off on an unexpected voyage to rediscover his passion for life.
  • Alan Harper ("Two and a Half Men," 2003 TV Series): Alan Harper, a chiropractor, navigates the ups and downs of life with his brother and nephew.
  • "Alan and the Secret Garden" (2020 Children's Book): Follows young Alan as he discovers a hidden garden full of magical creatures and adventures.
  • Alan Turing ("The Imitation Game," 2014 Film): A biographical film that explores the life of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician who played a key role in breaking the Enigma code during World War II.
  • Alan Shepard ("The Right Stuff," 1983 Film):