What does Faolan mean?
From the Irish 'faol' ('wolf') and the diminutive suffix '-an', meaning 'little wolf'. Borne by several early Irish saints; anglicised as Phelan or Whelan.
What does Lorcan mean?
Lorcan means “little fierce one.”
Faolan vs Lorcan
Which is more popular?
Lorcan is more popular than Faolan today: about 9 US babies were given the name Lorcan in 2025, compared with 0 named Faolan.
| Faolan | Lorcan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | little wolf | Little fierce one |
| Origin | irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | FWAY-lawn | LOR-kun |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 1997 |
| Peak year | 2023 (23) | 2018 (17) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 9 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Faolan
Lorcan
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Faolan | Lorcan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 72 | 74 |
| 2010s | 100 | 95 |
| 2000s | 25 | 74 |
| 1990s | 0 | 18 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Faolan or Lorcan more popular?
Lorcan is more popular than Faolan today: about 9 US babies were given the name Lorcan in 2025, compared with 0 named Faolan.
What is the difference between Faolan and Lorcan?
Faolan means little wolf (irish origin), while Lorcan means Little fierce one (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Faolan or Lorcan?
In US records, Faolan first appears in 0 and Lorcan in 1997, so Faolan has the longer recorded history.