Holding steady, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Faolan since 2006
Babies named Faolan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 25 |
| 2010s | 100 |
| 2020s | 72 |
Meaning & origin
Faolan is an Irish and Scottish name with a powerful meaning: 'little wolf'. It has been used since early medieval times, appearing in the names of Irish saints and figures like Saint Faolan. In the United States, Faolan is a rare but quietly growing choice, first recorded in 2006. Its peak popularity came in 2023, though it remains uncommon, with a 2025 rank of 8,243 and a 1-in-189,786 occurrence rate. The name's trajectory has been stable in recent years. Faolan appeals to parents seeking a name with deep Celtic roots and a nature-inspired meaning, without being widely used. It fits well with other Irish names such as Cian and Aisling.
Derived from the Old Irish word "fáel" meaning 'wolf' combined with a diminutive suffix, Faolan translates to 'little wolf'. The name appears in early medieval Irish annals and was borne by several saints, most notably Saint Faolan. In Scotland, it was traditionally anglicized as Fillan.
“Faolan” around the world
Where Faolan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
29
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Fay, Lanny
Variants: Faolán, Fillan, Foelan
Sibling names for Faolan
Names that share Faolan's style, for a brother or sister.
