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Home › Baby Names Directory › Galen

Galen

♂ Boy

Pronounced GAY-luhn /ˈɡeɪ.lən/Medium

Meaning: CalmMedium

In 30 seconds: Galen is an English boy's name meaning 'calm.'
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningCalm
U.S. rank (2025)#4442 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births23 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1949
Total births (all-time)≈ 16,499

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194918892025

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

Galen means 'calm' and traces back through the Greek form Galenos. It is a name with an old, steady character that has carried into English use.

Bearers span from the nineteenth-century archer Galen Spencer to the distance runner Galen Rupp, showing the name's long, quiet reach.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Galen is 'calm', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Galen — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

Galenos

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Galen Spencer (1840–1904)
    Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • ★Galen Rupp (1986–present)
    Male public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Galen…

Graysen— shares the -en ending
Gracen— a fellow English choice
Golden— echoes that soft -en sound
Grayden— echoes that soft -en sound
Draven— shares the -en ending

Explore names like Galen

By themeenglish
By meaningPeace

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Galen mean?

Galen is usually explained as meaning 'calm' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Galen?

It's commonly said GAY-luhn /ˈɡeɪ.lən/.

Is Galen a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Galen is used as a boy name.

How popular is Galen?

In 2024, Galen ranked #2753 in the U.S. for boys, with 47 births recorded.

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