Alan
Alan first appears in US records in 1882. It peaked in 1955, when 9,037 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 1,915.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Alan popular?
Declining Alan is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1955 peak.
| 2020s | 12,170 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 24,199 | |
| 2000s | 29,647 | |
| 1990s | 24,094 | |
| 1980s | 26,825 | |
| 1970s | 24,813 | |
| 1960s | 61,392 | |
| 1950s | 83,976 | |
| 1940s | 50,302 | |
| 1930s | 16,374 | |
| 1920s | 7,013 | |
| 1910s | 2,020 | |
| 1900s | 293 | |
| 1890s | 144 | |
| 1880s | 51 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Alan mean?
Alan is of Breton and Celtic origin, of debated meaning — possibly “rock” or “handsome.” Breton followers of William the Conqueror carried it to England.
Nicknames for Alan
- Al
Variants & spellings
- Allan
- Allen
- Alun
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Alan a boy or a girl name?
Alan is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Alan a popular name right now?
Alan is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1955 peak.
How popular is the name Alan?
In 2025, Alan ranked #191 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Alan most popular?
Alan was most popular in 1955, when about 9,037 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Alan?
Common nicknames for Alan include Al.