MallowbyNames

Jalen

JAY-lən · Created name, likely a blend of 'Jay' and 'Allen' or similar names, or inspired by the basketball player Jalen Rose.

2025 rank (boys)
#442
Babies named in 2025
711
Peak popularity
2000
2025 frequency
1 in 2,402 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2001

Declining since 2001, #442 for boys today.

Popularity of Jalen since 1976

Babies named Jalen per year in U.S. Social Security records.

1.2k2.3k3.5k198020002020Most births 2000Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1970s10
1980s16
1990s11,123
2000s20,447
2010s5,483
2020s3,757

Meaning & origin

Jalen is a modern American creation that first appeared on the U.S. baby-name charts in 1976. Its rise was likely aided by basketball star Jalen Rose, and the name reached its peak rank of 96 in the year 2000, when it was most fashionable. Since 2001, its usage has been falling; as of 2025, it sits at rank 442, with roughly 1 in 2,402 newborn boys receiving the name. The name has been most popular in South Dakota (SD), Pennsylvania (PA), and New Mexico (NM). Jalen represents a trend of inventive, blended names that became especially popular in the 1990s and 2000s among African American communities and beyond.

Jalen is a modern American coinage that first appeared in the 1970s. It is widely believed to be a blend of the names Jay and Allen, or to have been inspired by the suffix '-len' found in names like Kellen and Dwayne. The name gained visibility through basketball player Jalen Rose (born 1973), helping to establish it as a popular choice for boys in the United States.

Where Jalen 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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few births

Jalen” around the world

Where Jalen lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    5

    babies in 2024

Sources: INSEE (France).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Jay

Variants: Jaylen, Jalyn, Jaylon, Jalan

Sibling names for Jalen

Names that share Jalen's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Maya, Aaliyah, Zoe, Nyla, Kamari, Ashante, Ashanti, Ayanna, Dasia, Deja, Eboni, Emani, Iesha, Jamya, Janae, Jariyah, Kaleah, Keonna, Kisha, Latia, Nikia, Sade, Shanequa, Tamia, Azeneth, Ebonee, Ieshia, Jakira, Jalani, Jalia, Jalissa, Jamika, Jamiya, Janai, Jenae, Keiana, Kenisha, Keyona, Keyonna, Keysha, Kyana, Lashay, Makiya, Mekayla, Myesha, Nakeisha, Naliyah, Nariyah, Nyesha, Qiana, Quiana, Shatara, Taisha, Tamyra, Tyonna, Andraya, Ashanta, Chanae, Chanice, Chanta, Chardae, Dajanae, Daneisha, Deija, Deshay, Iasia, Ieasha, Imoni, Jakhia, Jakia, Jakya, Jakyla, Jalee, Jalena, Jalene, Jalesa, Jaley, Jalicia, Jalisha, Jaliya, Jaloni, Jameria, Jamesia, Jamira, Jamyra, Janisha, Jezelle, Jonae, Kaneesha, Kawana, Keiona, Keionna, Kelise, Keondra, Lakira, Makaya, Nasiyah, Nekia, Nikeya, Nikiya, Nyisha, Quianna, Renesha, Risha, Samora, Shakiyla, Shalina, Shanai, Shaneice, Shatia, Sherelle, Tajae, Talena, Tanasia, Tashay, Teesha, Tionne, Tynia, Tysha, Zamaria, Aaliah, Amanii, Ashonti, Aundria, Chakira, Chanise, Charday, Cyerra, Daijha, Damali, Danasha, Dashae, Deaja, Ebonique, Elbony, Enjoli, Iyesha, Jahnia, Jakaylah, Jakera, Jakyah, Jalana, Jalasia, Jalayla, Jalecia, Jaleena, Jalexis, Jalise, Jameca, Jameya, Jamilex, Jamyria, Janayla, Janicia, Janilah, Jaquala, Jatara, Jatoria, Jeilani, Keenya, Keiarra, Keiasia, Kiyonna, Kyeisha, Lakeia, Lashaya, Lataya, Letoya, Makyiah, Nakea, Nakyia, Namiyah, Nyaira, Nykira, Shabria, Shakala, Shakari, Shakia, Shakyla, Shanara, Shantia, Shanyla, Shaquetta, Shaquira, Shariya, Shataya, Siedah, Takeia, Talasia, Tanayah, Taneeka, Tekia, Terea, Tranae, Treanna, Trenae, Tyeasha, Tyshae, Yalani, Aalaysia, Diasia, Jahnay, Jalaina, Janiaya, Lakeyia, Quanasia, Adreona, Ahsha, Ajanee, Anecia, Aniesha, Ashaunti, Atoya, Aujanae, Azhane, Chantea, Charae, Chekesha, Dajsha, Danicia, Dejana, Dejane, Desia, Dinisha, Ebonye, Jacole, Jakaiya, Jakiera, Jalaia, Jalayiah, Jaleeya, Jalei, Jaleisa, Jalexia, Jalexus, Jaline, Jalisia, Jalyiah, Jalyric, Jamise, Janaisha, Janayia, Janisa, Jarelis, Jatoya, Jayloni, Jeanae, Jelicia, Jetaun, Jhanae, Joleena, Jonea, Joniya, Kadisha, Kaleisha, Kashana, Keiandra, Kenyia, Kenyona, Kiamesha, Lacoya, Lataja, Moneisha, Myosha, Nashea, Nialah, Nikiah, Nygeria, Nyjae, Rickeya, Sacoya, Sakia, Semiyah, Shaday, Shadiamond, Shakyia, Shanaye, Shanequia, Shaquel, Shaquella, Shavonte, Shawnia, Sheniya, Tahesha, Takiera, Talishia, Tameia, Tanaja, Tanaysha, Taquisha, Tashae, Tashera, Tekeya, Tenesia, Teosha, Tonae, Treonna, Tyshea, Umeka, Zeniya

Brothers: Jayden, Kaden, Amari, Darius, Malik, Dalvin, Daquan, Darrius, Davon, Deonte, Deshawn, Dontae, Jacory, Jamar, Jamarcus, Jamir, Jaquan, Keon, Marlon, Marquise, Stephon, Tevin, Tyren, Dalyn, Damarcus, Deshun, Devonta, Dionte, Djuan, Jacquez, Jaheim, Jalin, Jalon, Jamarr, Jameer, Jayquan, Jermain, Jovon, Jrue, Juwan, Kadeem, Keonte, Keshaun, Markel, Marquese, Martez, Najee, Raekwon, Roshawn, Savon, Tahj, Tavon, Tayvon, Tremaine, Tyreese, Tywan, Daijon, Dajour, Damontae, Dantae, Davonne, Demarko, Demetrus, Demone, Jacquan, Jahmal, Jahmel, Jalan, Jamaar, Jamael, Jamarkus, Jaquay, Jatavious, Javar, Jawon, Jontae, Kahari, Kashawn, Kawan, Keonta, Keontae, Keshun, Keyshaun, Khamani, Kymoni, Maliek, Montrez, Nazier, Rajon, Rasean, Rashaan, Rayshon, Saquan, Shavar, Taveon, Telvin, Tremon, Trevell, Trevonte, Trumaine, Tymere, Tyshun, Yohance, Akeen, Avontae, Daiveon, Damere, Davonn, Deantae, Deiondre, Dejean, Dekendrick, Deundre, Diondre, Diontae, Donyea, Dreshaun, Dvon, Dyshawn, Jaion, Jakhai, Jamareon, Jamario, Jamian, Jamion, Jamond, Jaquil, Jaquis, Jaquise, Jarmar, Jarquez, Jauan, Javares, Javaun, Jazier, Jemari, Jmari, Kalijah, Keante, Keanthony, Kejuan, Kelvon, Kevaughn, Kewon, Keysean, Khalan, Kijuan, Ladarian, Marquay, Marshon, Nashaun, Quamir, Roshon, Ryheem, Sequan, Shamere, Tadarius, Tahjae, Tashon, Terion, Tevion, Tiquan, Trevaun, Treyshawn, Tykeem, Tyquez, Tyresse, Tyriek, Jakolby, Jaleal, Quintell, Akiem, Alquan, Arkeem, Caleel, Damontre, Darshawn, Dawaun, Deiontae, Demaryius, Derrico, Devaris, Dishon, Duante, Dvontae, Jacquise, Jahlon, Jahmad, Jahred, Jakwan, Jaquese, Javious, Jawann, Jazir, Jemaine, Jimel, Jojuan, Jontez, Jshon, Juvon, Juwaun, Jymir, Kalonji, Kionte, Kwamaine, Kymier, Ladonte, Lamelo, Marcquis, Markale, Marqual, Marquest, Miquan, Monterrio, Nycere, Nyheim, Nylen, Nyquan, Quamere, Quaron, Raden, Raeshaun, Shaquill, Taijon, Tajee, Tamaj, Tashan, Tyreak, Zhyon

Names like Jalen

Names whose popularity has moved with Jalen's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

J is for Jalen, our favorite little boy.

J is for Jalen…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Jalen's letter becomes Jalen's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Jalen's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Jalen mean?
Jalen is a modern invented name without a traditional meaning. It is typically considered a blend of Jay and Allen, or a creative variation of similar-sounding names.
How popular is the name Jalen currently?
As of 2025, Jalen ranks 442nd in popularity for boys in the United States, with about 1 in every 2,402 newborn boys given the name.
Is Jalen a boy or girl name?
Jalen is predominantly a boy's name, though it has occasionally been used for girls as well.