Allen Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

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

Fact: As a surname, the name Allen dates back all the way to 1220.

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A Deep Dive

Allen Overview

Meaning

Little rock, handsome

Gender

Boy

Origin

Gaelic, Irish, Scottish

Etymology

Derived from the Celtic word “aluinn,” meaning “fair” or “handsome,” Allen is also considered a variant of the name Alan, which has ancient roots in the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon traditions​.

Pronunciation

/ˈæl.ən/

Popularity

Allen is a popular name worldwide, especially in English-speaking countries. In the USA, Allen ranked #516 for boys in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Traditional, Classic, Short

Associated Traits

Handsome, strong, noble, harmonious​

Name Day

October 14th
A Deep Dive

Allen Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Allan, Alan, Alen, Alun, Ailin

Common Nicknames

Al, Alfie, Alf, Ale, Alfi, Len, Lennie, Lenny, Ali, Ally

Diminutives

Al, Ali, Alie, Alfi

Famous People

  • Allen Iverson
    (American Basketball Player)
  • Allen Ginsberg
    (American Poet)
  • Allen Ludden
    (American Game Show Host)
  • Allen Leech
    (Irish TV Actor)
  • Allen Toussaint
    (American Musician)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • "Allen v. Farrow"
    (Documentary Series)
  • Allen Gamble
    ("The Other Guys," Film)
  • Allen Ginsberg
    ("Howl," Poem)
  • Allen Iverson
    ("Iverson," Documentary)
  • Allen Walker
    ("D.Gray-man," Anime Series)

Places

  • Allen
    (Texas, USA)
  • Allen
    (Nebraska, USA)
  • Allen
    (Kansas, USA)
  • Allen
    (South Dakota, USA)
  • Allen
    (Michigan, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Allen?

Allen means “little rock” and “handsome.” Individuals with this name tend to possess a solid and dependable nature.

What Is the Origin of The Name Allen?

The name Allen has Gaelic, Irish, and Scottish origins, meaning “little rock” and “handsome.”

Allen Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#5252021#5612022#5162023
Top 3 Rankings#711940#711942#711949

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Allen

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023516
(+45 from 2022)
568
(+39 from 2022)
0.03102
2022561
(-36 from 2021)
529
(-29 from 2021)
0.02824
2021525
(-60 from 2020)
558
(-78 from 2020)
0.02978
2020465
(-29 from 2019)
636
(-64 from 2019)
0.03438
2019436
(-15 from 2018)
700
(-41 from 2018)
0.03642
2018421
(-18 from 2017)
741
(-49 from 2017)
0.03812
2017403
(-33 from 2016)
790
(-105 from 2016)
0.03992
2016370
(-20 from 2015)
895
(-80 from 2015)
0.04418
2015350
(+17 from 2014)
975
(+116 from 2014)
0.04769
2014367
(-18 from 2013)
859
(-57 from 2013)
0.04192
2013349
(-19 from 2012)
916
(-42 from 2012)
0.04533
2012330
(-13 from 2011)
958
(-47 from 2011)
0.04721
2011317
(+5 from 2010)
1005
(+31 from 2010)
0.04947
2010322
(-12 from 2009)
974
(-63 from 2009)
0.04741
2009310
(-17 from 2008)
1037
(-102 from 2008)
0.04889
2008293
(-6 from 2007)
1139
(-58 from 2007)
0.05224
2007287
(-4 from 2006)
1197
(-32 from 2006)
0.05404
2006283
(-13 from 2005)
1229
(-1 from 2005)
0.05606
2005270
(-15 from 2004)
1230
(-69 from 2004)
0.05782
2004255
(-5 from 2003)
1299
(-19 from 2003)
0.06147
2003250
(-4 from 2002)
1318
(-64 from 2002)
0.06273
2002246
(-3 from 2001)
1382
(-7 from 2001)
0.06687
2001243
(+7 from 2000)
1389
(+39 from 2000)
0.06715
2000250
(-6 from 1999)
1350
(+35 from 1999)
0.06465
1999244
(-5 from 1998)
1315
(-1 from 1998)
0.06449
1998239
(-21 from 1997)
1316
(-92 from 1997)
0.06490
1997218
(-6 from 1996)
1408
(-60 from 1996)
0.07048
1996212
(-15 from 1995)
1468
(-82 from 1995)
0.07326
1995197
(-18 from 1994)
1550
(-198 from 1994)
0.07706
1994179
(-11 from 1993)
1748
(-152 from 1993)
0.08576
1993168
(-3 from 1992)
1900
(-19 from 1992)
0.09199
1992165
(-11 from 1991)
1919
(-189 from 1991)
0.09142
1991154
(-13 from 1990)
2108
(-112 from 1990)
0.09945
1990141
(-11 from 1989)
2220
(-139 from 1989)
0.10316
1989130
(+4 from 1988)
2359
(+150 from 1988)
0.11255
1988134
(-6 from 1987)
2209
(+36 from 1987)
0.11032
1987128
No change from 1986
2173
(+54 from 1986)
0.11142
1986128
No change from 1985
2119
(-67 from 1985)
0.11027
1985128
No change from 1984
2186
(+61 from 1984)
0.11359
1984128
(-8 from 1983)
2125
(-121 from 1983)
0.11323
1983120
(+2 from 1982)
2246
(+29 from 1982)
0.12052
1982122
(+9 from 1981)
2217
(+154 from 1981)
0.11748
1981131
(-7 from 1980)
2063
(-148 from 1980)
0.11077
1980124
(+15 from 1979)
2211
(+273 from 1979)
0.11921
1979139
(+5 from 1978)
1938
(+111 from 1978)
0.10819
1978144
No change from 1977
1827
(+8 from 1977)
0.10693
1977144
(-10 from 1976)
1819
(-149 from 1976)
0.10641
1976134
(-8 from 1975)
1968
(-66 from 1975)
0.12054
1975126
(-1 from 1974)
2034
(-68 from 1974)
0.12537
1974125
(-1 from 1973)
2102
(+25 from 1973)
0.12894
1973124
(-1 from 1972)
2077
(-225 from 1972)
0.12872
1972123
(-3 from 1971)
2302
(-370 from 1971)
0.13751
1971120
(-7 from 1970)
2672
(-262 from 1970)
0.14699
1970113
(-2 from 1969)
2934
(+49 from 1969)
0.15403
1969111
(-11 from 1968)
2885
(-78 from 1968)
0.15772
1968100
No change from 1967
2963
(-161 from 1967)
0.16689
1967100
(-3 from 1966)
3124
(-295 from 1966)
0.17556
196697
(-5 from 1965)
3419
(-417 from 1965)
0.18810
196592
(+1 from 1964)
3836
(-263 from 1964)
0.20247
196493
(-3 from 1963)
4099
(-241 from 1963)
0.20222
196390
(+3 from 1962)
4340
(+70 from 1962)
0.21021
196293
(+3 from 1961)
4270
(-116 from 1961)
0.20317
196196
(+2 from 1960)
4386
(+13 from 1960)
0.20334
196098
(-1 from 1959)
4373
(+9 from 1959)
0.20195
195997
(-5 from 1958)
4364
(-162 from 1958)
0.20143
195892
(-1 from 1957)
4526
(+113 from 1957)
0.21004
195791
(-4 from 1956)
4413
(-198 from 1956)
0.20161
195687
(-3 from 1955)
4611
(-131 from 1955)
0.21484
195584
(-2 from 1954)
4742
(-89 from 1954)
0.22686
195482
(-1 from 1953)
4831
(-25 from 1953)
0.23348
195381
(-3 from 1952)
4856
(-100 from 1952)
0.24253
195278
(-6 from 1951)
4956
(-223 from 1951)
0.25115
195172
(-1 from 1950)
5179
(+338 from 1950)
0.27091
195071
No change from 1949
4841
(+106 from 1949)
0.26616
194971
(+1 from 1948)
4735
(-21 from 1948)
0.26276
194872
(+1 from 1947)
4756
(-319 from 1947)
0.26678
194773
(+1 from 1946)
5075
(+781 from 1946)
0.27320
194674
No change from 1945
4294
(+813 from 1945)
0.26018
194574
(+3 from 1944)
3481
(+59 from 1944)
0.25382
194477
(-1 from 1943)
3422
(-204 from 1943)
0.24634
194376
(-5 from 1942)
3626
(+55 from 1942)
0.24928
194271
(+2 from 1941)
3571
(+511 from 1941)
0.25357
194173
(-2 from 1940)
3060
(+32 from 1940)
0.24385
194071
(+1 from 1939)
3028
(+99 from 1939)
0.25528
193972
(+1 from 1938)
2929
(+96 from 1938)
0.25845
193873
(+3 from 1937)
2833
(+314 from 1937)
0.24928
193776
(+5 from 1936)
2519
(+205 from 1936)
0.23033
193681
(+2 from 1935)
2314
(+2 from 1935)
0.21742
193583
(+5 from 1934)
2312
(+71 from 1934)
0.21616
193488
(-4 from 1933)
2241
(+37 from 1933)
0.21103
193384
(-4 from 1932)
2204
(-215 from 1932)
0.21604
193280
(-1 from 1931)
2419
(+111 from 1931)
0.22514
193179
(+6 from 1930)
2308
(+30 from 1930)
0.21575
193085
(+1 from 1929)
2278
(+89 from 1929)
0.20168
192986
(+7 from 1928)
2189
(+53 from 1928)
0.19763
192893
(+2 from 1927)
2136
(+34 from 1927)
0.18718
192795
(-2 from 1926)
2102
(+81 from 1926)
0.18091
192693
(+1 from 1925)
2021
(-13 from 1925)
0.17644
192594
No change from 1924
2034
(-11 from 1924)
0.17665
192494
(+3 from 1923)
2045
(+170 from 1923)
0.17493
192397
(-2 from 1922)
1875
(-12 from 1922)
0.16560
192295
(-1 from 1921)
1887
(-50 from 1921)
0.16770
192194
No change from 1920
1937
(+71 from 1920)
0.17022
192094
(+7 from 1919)
1866
(+213 from 1919)
0.16952
1919101
(-3 from 1918)
1653
(-126 from 1918)
0.16280
191898
(+2 from 1917)
1779
(+187 from 1917)
0.16965
1917100
(+1 from 1916)
1592
(+20 from 1916)
0.16595
1916101
(-2 from 1915)
1572
(+114 from 1915)
0.17027
191599
(+6 from 1914)
1458
(+409 from 1914)
0.16551
1914105
(-5 from 1913)
1049
(+146 from 1913)
0.15352
1913100
(+3 from 1912)
903
(+173 from 1912)
0.16839
1912103
(-5 from 1911)
730
(+328 from 1911)
0.16170
191198
(-6 from 1910)
402
(+47 from 1910)
0.16653
191092
(+1 from 1909)
355
(+43 from 1909)
0.17025
190993
(-1 from 1908)
312
(+25 from 1908)
0.17641
190892
(-7 from 1907)
287
(-22 from 1907)
0.17251
190785
(-1 from 1906)
309
(+27 from 1906)
0.19485
190684
(+4 from 1905)
282
(+10 from 1905)
0.19574
190588
(+8 from 1904)
272
(+44 from 1904)
0.18990
190496
(-5 from 1903)
228
(+9 from 1903)
0.16462
190391
(-2 from 1902)
219
(-8 from 1902)
0.16934
190289
(-1 from 1901)
227
(+28 from 1901)
0.17100
190188
(+16 from 1900)
199
(-24 from 1900)
0.17216
1900104
(-13 from 1899)
223
(+32 from 1899)
0.13755
189991
(+12 from 1898)
191
(+6 from 1898)
0.16581
1898103
(-21 from 1897)
185
(-41 from 1897)
0.14005
189782
(+9 from 1896)
226
(+7 from 1896)
0.18533
189691
(+7 from 1895)
219
(+23 from 1895)
0.16968
189598
(-9 from 1894)
196
(-23 from 1894)
0.15477
189489
(+10 from 1893)
219
(+39 from 1893)
0.17535
189399
(-10 from 1892)
180
(-44 from 1892)
0.14871
189289
(+5 from 1891)
224
(+51 from 1891)
0.17040
189194
(-4 from 1890)
173
(-16 from 1890)
0.15833
189090
(-11 from 1889)
189
(-33 from 1889)
0.15789
188979
(-4 from 1888)
222
(-38 from 1888)
0.18650
188875
(+6 from 1887)
260
(+58 from 1887)
0.20014
188781
(+1 from 1886)
202
(-9 from 1886)
0.18479
188682
(+5 from 1885)
211
(+27 from 1885)
0.17725
188587
No change from 1884
184
(+2 from 1884)
0.15870
188487
(-5 from 1883)
182
(+7 from 1883)
0.14828
188382
(-2 from 1882)
175
(-31 from 1882)
0.15559
188280
No change from 1881
206
(+34 from 1881)
0.16881
188180
(+2 from 1880)
172
(-12 from 1880)
0.15885
188082
First SSA data recorded
184
First SSA data recorded
0.15541

American States Popularity Rankings for Allen

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

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#5202021#4492022#4012023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#4612021#4032022#4462023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#6182021#6262022#5492023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#4302021#3362022#3052023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#6872021#6442022#6702023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3772021#3922022#4772023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#4582021#5892022#7582023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#5392021#6212022#7552023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3302021#6512022#3702023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#6142021#6052022#4902023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#4332021#5552022#6052023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4532021#4622022#4452023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4512021#4842022#5792023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#6452021#8332022#4052023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#6052021#6512022#4512023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#5852021#5332022#4472023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#6802021#3872022#5722023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3382021#5722022#5792023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4652021#5692022#6192023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6052021#6902022#5132023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3822021#6702022#6762023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4662021#4672022#3362023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#3672020#6382021#7252022

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4412020#4552021#4492023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#4132020#3452021#3372023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5032021#4262022#6942023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#5222021#5712022#3952023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4892020#5462021#4312023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2612016#3282017#2952023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4482020#4512021#5692023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5882020#5012021#4342023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#5512020#6482021#7262023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4112011#3812014#4362018

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4112014#4522015#4122017

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#6632019#6842021#5612022

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#5952021#4452022#5932023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1001991#951992#1631996

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2242010#2422013#1852019

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2252008#1612009#1692012

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2022002#2282005#1782009

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2832016#3912019#4102022

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3102014#3162015#3642021

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1521992#1841993#1751999

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2702011#1942012#2732017

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#991989#971990#1171992

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1472001#1552002#1922005

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1351993#1821996#1801997

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4122018#5112019#4432020

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1321994#2092017#1982018

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1702010#1972015#1952016

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1091985#971986#981989

Popularity Rankings for Allen in other Countries and American Territories

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

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#312016#132017#402018

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#851956#921958#931960

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3632015#2362017#2782018

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2941982#3511988#3822006

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4591994#4251996#4031997

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#6012008#7012009#7202010

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#7612021#10522022#6242023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#7392016#7182017#9782019

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7292013#7362014#7322015

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

Is Allen a Name for Boys or Girls?

Allen is predominantly a male name, because of its dazzling meanings.

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

Allen in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Allen Iverson (Basketball Player, 1975): An American former professional basketball player known for his exceptional skill and impact on the NBA.
  • Allen Ginsberg (Poet, 1926–1997): An influential American poet and a leading figure of the Beat Generation.
  • Allen Ludden (Game Show Host, 1917–1981): An American television personality and actor best known for hosting the game show "Password."
  • Allen Leech (TV Actor, 1981): An Irish actor famous for his role as Tom Branson on "Downton Abbey."
  • Allen Toussaint (Musician, 1938–2015): An American musician and producer who significantly influenced New Orleans R&B.
  • "Allen v. Farrow" (2021 Documentary Series): Explores the allegations of sexual abuse against Woody Allen involving his daughter, Dylan Farrow.
  • Allen Gamble ("The Other Guys," 2010 Film): A mild-mannered forensic accountant who partners with a reckless detective.
  • Allen Ginsberg ("Howl," 1956 Poem): A groundbreaking poem that became a central work of the Beat Generation.
  • Allen Iverson ("Iverson," 2014 Documentary): Chronicles the life and career of the former NBA star.
  • Allen Walker ("D.Gray-man," 2006 Anime Series): A young exorcist with a cursed eye and an anti-Akuma weapon.
  • Allen (Texas, USA): A vibrant city in Collin County known for its family-friendly atmosphere, parks, and a strong sense of community.
  • Allen (Nebraska, USA): A small village in Dixon County recognized for its close-knit community and agricultural background.
  • Allen (Kansas, USA): A quaint town in Lyon County with a rich history and a welcoming environment.
  • Allen (South Dakota, USA): A census-designated place on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, known for its cultural significance.
  • Allen (Michigan, USA): A village in Hillsdale County known for its antique shops and small-town charm.

Similar Names to Allen

  • Allgar
  • Allart
  • Allaster
  • Allcen
  • Allstonn
  • Allyn
  • Allain
  • Alleyne
  • Allerick
  • Allister