What origin is the name Alan?

Alan comes from irish naming traditions. Names from this origin often carry meanings tied to nature, virtues or heritage.

Is Alan a popular name?

Alan is very rare in official US birth records — fewer than 5 babies of this gender were given the name in any year we checked.

Yes. Alan does not appear in US Social Security birth records, which list every name given to at least 5 babies, so it is rare in the US.

What are good sister names for Alan?

Names from the same irish tradition pair naturally with Alan — for example Riley, Nora, Keira. You can browse more on our irish names page.

Alan Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

Alan

Boy

irish

2 syllables

Alan is an irish boy's name meaning "Handsome; harmony, stone, or noble. also fair, handsome. originally a saints name, it was reintroduced to britain during the norman conquest, remained popular throughout the middle ages, and was revived in the 19th century. see also allen; fair; handsome. famous bearer: u.s. actor alan alda".

Alan is a boy name of irish origin meaning "Handsome; harmony, stone, or noble. also fair, handsome. originally a saints name, it was reintroduced to britain during the norman conquest, remained popular throughout the middle ages, and was revived in the 19th century. see also allen; fair; handsome. famous bearer: u.s. actor alan alda". At just 4 letters, it is short and easy to say. It has 2 syllables.

Origin: irish
Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2

Meaning compiled from public name lists.

Meaning

Handsome; harmony, stone, or noble. also fair, handsome. originally a saints name, it was reintroduced to britain during the norman conquest, remained popular throughout the middle ages, and was revived in the 19th century. see also allen; fair; handsome. famous bearer: u.s. actor alan alda

Popularity

Very rare in US records (source: US Social Security Administration birth records (best rank 2008–2017))

Quick answers about Alan

Very rare in US records

What does Alan mean?

Alan is a boy name of irish origin meaning "Handsome; harmony, stone, or noble. also fair, handsome. originally a saints name, it was reintroduced to britain during the norman conquest, remained popular throughout the middle ages, and was revived in the 19th century. see also allen; fair; handsome. famous bearer: u.s. actor alan alda".

Is Alan a rare name?

Yes. Alan does not appear in official US birth records for 2017, meaning fewer than 5 babies got the name that year.

Sister names that go with Alan

Riley Nora Keira Erin Fiona Ciara

Combine Alan with another name

Our free name combiner blends two names into new baby name ideas.

Names with a similar meaning to Alan

Alan means "Handsome; harmony, stone, or noble. also fair, handsome. originally a saints name, it was reintroduced to britain during the norman conquest, remained popular throughout the middle ages, and was revived in the 19th century. see also allen; fair; handsome. famous bearer: u.s. actor alan alda" — these names share that spirit.