A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Oran since 1880
Babies named Oran per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Oran's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 76 |
| 1890s | 95 |
| 1900s | 141 |
| 1910s | 600 |
| 1920s | 839 |
| 1930s | 520 |
| 1940s | 471 |
| 1950s | 374 |
| 1960s | 248 |
| 1970s | 230 |
| 1980s | 165 |
| 1990s | 169 |
| 2000s | 201 |
| 2010s | 203 |
| 2020s | 115 |
Meaning & origin
Oran is a name of Irish and Scottish heritage, deriving from the Gaelic Odhrán, meaning 'little pale green one'. Since first appearing in U.S. records in 1880, it remained obscure for over a century, peaking in 1901 at 828th place before fading. Notably, the name began a steady climb around 1996 and has been rising since, reflecting a revival of traditional Irish names. Despite a low overall rank of 5045 in 2025, with just 1 in 90,000 boys receiving the name, its upward trajectory suggests growing appeal among parents seeking distinctive Celtic choices. Its obscure status and lack of top-state concentration make it a rare find nationwide.
Oran is an anglicized form of the Irish name Odhrán, derived from odhar meaning 'pale green' or 'dun-colored', with the diminutive suffix -án. In Hebrew, Oran (אורן) means 'pine tree' and is unrelated in origin. The Irish name is borne by several early saints, and Oran has been used in Scotland as well, particularly in the Isle of Iona, where Saint Oran is a legendary figure.
“Oran” around the world
Where Oran lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
16
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Orie, Ozzy
Sibling names for Oran
Names that share Oran's style, for a brother or sister.
