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Garlan

♂ Boy

Pronounced GAR-luhn /ˈɡɑr.lən/Medium

Meaning: Garlan is a trimmed spelling of Garland, an English surname and given name from Old French 'garlande,' a wreath or garland of flowers, later also read as an English place-word for a triangle of land.Low

In 30 seconds: Garlan is a variant of Garland, from Old French for a 'wreath' or 'garland.' It saw early-twentieth-century US use (said GAR-luhn).

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Origin LowEnglish, French

MeaningGarlan is a trimmed spelling of Garland, an English surname and given name from Old French 'garlande,' a wreath or garland of flowers, later also read as an English place-word for a triangle of land.

U.S. rank (1972)#4624 ↘ Falling

1972 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1930

Total births (all-time)≈ 416

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

Garlan is a variant of Garland, a name from Old French 'garlande' meaning a wreath or garland of flowers. Carried first as a surname, it was given to American boys through the early twentieth century, the trimmed spelling simply dropping the final 'd.'

Garlan was only about fifteen a year even at its peak, appearing from the nineteen-tens into mid-century before fading. A boy named Garlan then would be of great-grandfather age today, and the softer spelling remains a rare period variant.

Did you know? The parent name Garland became especially familiar through the actress Judy Garland, though as a first name it had already been quietly given to boys for decades.

Overall data confidence 40%

References - Garlan — Variant of Garland; Old French 'garlande'; early-1900s usage

Variations

GarlandGarlonGarlin

Nicknames

Gar

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If you like Garlan…

Garland— the parent name Garlan varies

Harlan— a like two-syllable surname-name of the same era

Leland— a similar vintage boy's name in sound

Roland— another -land boy's name with a comparable feel

Explore names like Garlan

By themeenglish vintage french surname

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Garlan mean?

It is a variant of Garland, from the Old French 'garlande' meaning a wreath or garland of flowers.

How do you pronounce Garlan?

It is said GAR-luhn /ˈɡɑr.lən/ - two syllables.

Is Garlan a boy or girl name?

Garlan is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Garlan?

Garlan was always rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys a year at its peak around nineteen-thirty.