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Aslan

♂ Boy

Pronounced AZ-lan /ˈæz.lən/High

Meaning: From the Turkic aslan meaning 'lion'; a royal title and given name used across Central Asian Turkic cultures, and the name of the lion deity in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of NarniaHigh

In 30 seconds: Aslan is a bold Turkic name meaning lion, used as a royal title across Central Asian cultures and immortalized as the great lion of C.S. Lewis's Narnia. Regal, powerful, and literally leonine.
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Origin HighTurkish, Turkic
MeaningFrom the Turkic aslan meaning 'lion'; a royal title and given name used across Central Asian Turkic cultures, and the name of the lion deity in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia
U.S. rank (2025)#860 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births280 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,719

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519792025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Aslan is the Turkic word for 'lion', used across Central Asian Turkic languages including Turkish, Uzbek, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz. As a royal title, Aslan (or Arslan) was borne by numerous Turkic rulers and warriors — most famously Alp Arslan (1029–1072), the Seljuk sultan whose name meant 'heroic lion' and who defeated the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.

The name gained enormous global recognition through C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956), in which Aslan is the great lion — the son of the Emperor-over-the-Sea, sacrificed and resurrected, a thinly veiled Christ figure. Lewis was aware of the word's Turkic origin. Since the publication of the Narnia books, Aslan has been used as a given name by parents drawn to both its powerful literal meaning and its literary resonance.

Did you know? C.S. Lewis named his lion king Aslan specifically because he was drawing on the Turkic and Arabic word for lion — knowing that readers across languages would recognize its leonine meaning, embedding a universal symbol of majesty and sacrifice into his beloved fantasy world.
Overall data confidence 96%
Behind the Name — Aslan — Turkic etymologyLewis, C.S. — Letters on Aslan — author's note on the Turkic origin

Variations

ArslanArslaan

Nicknames

Az

Famous Bearers

  • ★Alp Arslan (1029–1072)
    Seljuk sultan whose name meant heroic lion; he defeated the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of Manzikert, fundamentally changing the history of Anatolia.
  • ★Aslan (fictional) (fictional)
    The great lion king in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, a Christ-like figure who creates and redeems the land of Narnia.

If you like Aslan…

Leo— shares the lion meaning — Leo is Latin for lion
Leon— same lion-meaning name from Greek leon
Rex— same one-two syllable regal Latin/Turkic power-name
Thor— same tradition of using ancient mythological power-names for boys

Frequently Asked

What does the name Aslan mean?

Aslan means lion in Turkic languages, and has been used as a royal title and given name across Central Asia.

How do you pronounce Aslan?

It is said AZ-lan, with two syllables.

Is Aslan from Narnia?

Yes — Aslan is the great lion of C.S. Lewis's Narnia; Lewis used the Turkic word for lion intentionally.

Is Aslan a popular name?

Aslan is used in Turkic-heritage communities worldwide and by families who love the Narnia connection.