Declining since 1999, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Alban since 1912
Babies named Alban per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2012, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Alban's real moment was 1915.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 84 |
| 1920s | 135 |
| 1930s | 71 |
| 1940s | 53 |
| 1950s | 54 |
| 1960s | 59 |
| 1970s | 24 |
| 1980s | 58 |
| 1990s | 150 |
| 2000s | 135 |
| 2010s | 122 |
| 2020s | 55 |
Meaning & origin
Alban is a name with deep historical roots, dating back to the Latin cognomen Albanus. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1912, and its peak usage came early in 1915. After a decline, it has seen a modest resurgence. The name has been in steady but low use; its trajectory has been falling relative to other names since 1999, but it remains a distinctive choice. The name is strongly associated with Saint Alban, a Roman soldier who became Britain's first martyr, giving it a venerable Christian heritage. Despite its rarity, Alban carries a classic, understated dignity that appeals to parents seeking a traditional name with a subtle literary and historical resonance.
Alban is derived from the Latin cognomen Albanus, meaning 'from Alba'. Alba was a town in Latium, and the name may be connected to Latin albus ('white'). The name was borne by Saint Alban, the first Christian martyr in Britain (3rd or 4th century), which helped spread its use in medieval England. It has since been used intermittently, sometimes revived in the 19th century.
“Alban” around the world
Where Alban lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
360
babies in 2024
Quebec
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Al, Albie
Variants: Albanus, Albin
Sibling names for Alban
Names that share Alban's style, for a brother or sister.
