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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kellan

Kellan

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEL-un /ˈkɛl.ən/High

Meaning: From Irish roots — variously linked to Caolan ('slender') and to Ceallachan ('bright-headed; strife'). Kellan is overwhelmingly a boy's name in the U.S., a lean we note; its use for girls is rare and modern.Low

In 30 seconds: An Irish surname-style name: Kellan is linked to roots meaning 'slender' and 'bright-headed' (said 'KEL-un'). More often a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin LowIrish
MeaningFrom Irish roots — variously linked to Caolan ('slender') and to Ceallachan ('bright-headed; strife'). Kellan is overwhelmingly a boy's name in the U.S., a lean we note; its use for girls is rare and modern.
U.S. rank (2024)#14328 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2013
Total births (all-time)≈ 509

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201319682024

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

Kellan comes out of Irish naming, linked variously to Caolan, 'slender,' and to Ceallachan, an old personal name. The exact route is debated, which we note. In American use Kellan is overwhelmingly a boy's name — its girls' use is rare and recent, a lean we note clearly (said 'KEL-un').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., against much heavier boys' use. Rare here, Irish-rooted, and boy-leaning.

Did you know? Kellan is traced variously to the Irish Caolan, 'slender,' and to Ceallachan — the roots are debated. It is overwhelmingly a boys' name in the U.S., which we note.
Overall data confidence 36%
References — Kellan — Irish Caolan/Ceallachan; overwhelmingly male in U.S. use

Variations

KellenKealanCaolan

Nicknames

KelKellyLan

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kellan…

Kellen— a like spelling of the same name
Kelly— a like Irish name that went girl
Declan— a like Irish -an boys' name
Rylan— a similarly popular pick
Keagan— another Irish name

Explore names like Kellan

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kellan mean?

Kellan is linked to Irish roots — Caolan, 'slender,' and Ceallachan. The exact route is debated, which we note.

How do you pronounce Kellan?

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

Is Kellan a boy or girl name?

Kellan is overwhelmingly a boy's name in the U.S. — we note the lean.

How popular is Kellan?

Kellan is well used for boys in the U.S. and rare for girls.

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