Declining since 1989, #1,012 for boys today.
Popularity of Allan since 1880
Babies named Allan per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Allan's real moment was 1938.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 228 |
| 1890s | 298 |
| 1900s | 533 |
| 1910s | 3,237 |
| 1920s | 6,989 |
| 1930s | 11,359 |
| 1940s | 17,830 |
| 1950s | 17,697 |
| 1960s | 11,110 |
| 1970s | 5,911 |
| 1980s | 5,606 |
| 1990s | 5,392 |
| 2000s | 5,206 |
| 2010s | 3,392 |
| 2020s | 1,670 |
Meaning & origin
Allan, a variant of Alan, represents a name that has traveled from its uncertain Celtic or Breton origins to become a staple in English-speaking countries. In 2025, it ranked 1012th in the U.S., with a frequency of about 1 in 7,660 boys. Its peak year was 1938, reflecting a mid-20th-century popularity that has since declined; the trajectory has been falling since 1989. Geographically, the name has seen notable use in Florida, Illinois, and Washington. Allan shares its roots with the more common Allen, offering a slightly distinct spelling that retains historical depth.
Allan is a variant spelling of Alan, a name that came to England with the Normans. It is of debated origin, possibly derived from the Breton word for 'little rock' or from a Celtic element meaning 'handsome'. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and was standardized in the 19th century.
Where Allan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Allan” around the world
Where Allan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
40
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Al, Lanny
Sibling names for Allan
Names that share Allan's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Allan
Names whose popularity has moved with Allan's over the last 50 years.
