Declining since 2022, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Olan since 1895
Babies named Olan per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Olan's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 16 |
| 1900s | 69 |
| 1910s | 354 |
| 1920s | 529 |
| 1930s | 376 |
| 1940s | 314 |
| 1950s | 237 |
| 1960s | 149 |
| 1970s | 110 |
| 1980s | 89 |
| 1990s | 44 |
| 2000s | 105 |
| 2010s | 204 |
| 2020s | 136 |
Meaning & origin
Olan is a rare Irish name that has seen very limited use in the United States. First recorded in 1895, it reached its peak popularity in 1908, yet even then it was uncommon. As of 2025, the name ranked 6,143rd, with a frequency of about 1 in 122,005 births, and its usage has been gradually declining since 2022. Because the top states for Olan are not recorded, it likely has not been concentrated in any particular region. The name's etymology is uncertain, but it may be a variant of Nolan or Owen, both of which have deeper Irish roots. While Olan has never been a common choice, its simplicity and connection to Irish heritage may appeal to parents looking for an underused name.
Olan may be derived from the Irish name Nolan, which itself comes from the Irish Ó Nualláin meaning 'descendant of Nuallán', a personal name derived from nuall meaning 'noble' or 'famous'. It could also be a variant of Owen, from the Welsh Owain, meaning 'youth' or 'well-born'. The name has been used in the United States since the late 19th century, though it has never been common.
“Olan” around the world
Where Olan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
12
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ollie
Sibling names for Olan
Names that share Olan's style, for a brother or sister.
