Allan

♂ Boy

Pronounced AL-un /ˈæl.ən/High

Meaning: Little rock; harmony; from Breton/Celtic Alan, possibly from ail (rock) or from a Breton tribal name; alternatively linked to the Alan peopleMedium

In 30 seconds: A spelling variant of Alan, a Celtic-Breton name of uncertain etymology — possibly meaning 'little rock' or related to the Alan nomadic people of central Asia. A classic English masculine name that has been steady for over a millennium.

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Origin MediumCeltic, Breton

MeaningLittle rock; harmony; from Breton/Celtic Alan, possibly from ail (rock) or from a Breton tribal name; alternatively linked to the Alan people

U.S. rank (2025)#1013 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births223 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1947

Total births (all-time)≈ 96,453

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Allan is a spelling variant of Alan, from Breton/Celtic origins. The name may derive from the Celtic root ail (rock, stone), or it may be a Breton tribal name of uncertain origin. It was brought to England by Bretons in the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Allan has been used in England and Scotland for centuries. It ranked #851 for U.S. boys in 2024.

Did you know? The Alans were a nomadic Iranian people who ranged from Central Asia to Western Europe in late antiquity — some historians suggest the name Alan may have entered British Isles naming through Alan people who settled in Brittany (France) before the Norman Conquest.

Overall data confidence 74%

Behind the Name — Alan — Celtic/Breton etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AlanAllenAlun

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Allan Pinkerton (1819–1884)
Scottish-American detective who founded the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, an early American private detective agency.

If you like Allan…

Alan— the standard spelling of the same Celtic name

Allen— the -en variant of the same name

Alastair— the Scottish form sharing the same Celtic heritage

Alden— Old English -den surname name in the same two-syllable Al- category

Explore names like Allan

By themeclassic two-syllable variant-spelling celtic breton

By meaningRock / Stone

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Allan mean?

Allan means 'little rock' or is of uncertain Breton/Celtic origin. The name's exact etymology is disputed.

How do you pronounce Allan?

It's said AL-un — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Allan a boy or girl name?

Allan is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Allan?

Allan ranked #851 for U.S. boys in 2024.