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Kellan

♂ Boy

Pronounced KEL-un /ˈkɛl.ən/High

Meaning: Powerful; possibly from Irish Gaelic Caoilfhinn (caol: slender + fionn: fair/white) or related to Kellner (German: waiter, servant); also a variant of Cillian (Irish: church)Medium

In 30 seconds: A name with possible Irish Gaelic roots (slender + fair) or German origins. It is part of the wave of -an/-on ending masculine names (Caelan, Lachlan, Declan) popular in the 2000s–2010s.

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Origin MediumIrish, German

MeaningPowerful; possibly from Irish Gaelic Caoilfhinn (caol: slender + fionn: fair/white) or related to Kellner (German: waiter, servant); also a variant of Cillian (Irish: church)

U.S. rank (2025)#1031 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births215 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2013

Total births (all-time)≈ 10,752

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

Kellan may derive from Irish Gaelic Caoilfhinn (slender + fair), from the same root as Caelan. It may also relate to the German surname Kellner (waiter/servant) or be a variant of Irish Cillian (church). The exact origin is uncertain.

Kellan entered U.S. boys' charts in the 2000s and ranked #919 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Kellan Lutz, who played Emmett Cullen in the Twilight saga, is the most prominent celebrity bearer — and the Twilight franchise's cultural reach in the 2000s gave many Twilight actors' names a notable boost on baby-name charts.

Overall data confidence 72%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KellenKellinCaelan

Nicknames

Kell

Famous Bearers

★Kellan Lutz (1985–present)
American actor known for playing Emmett Cullen in the Twilight saga (2008–2012).

If you like Kellan…

Caelan— Irish -an ending name possibly sharing the same caol root

Declan— Irish -an ending name with the same Celtic heritage

Lachlan— Scottish -an ending name in the same Celtic surname-name tradition

Cillian— the Irish church-name Kellan may relate to

Brennan— Irish -an ending name in the same popular boys' cohort

Explore names like Kellan

By themetwo-syllable irish german uncertain-origin

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kellan mean?

Kellan's etymology is uncertain — possibly from Irish Gaelic (slender and fair) or German origins. The exact meaning is debated.

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 used as a boys' name.

How popular is Kellan?

Kellan ranked #919 for U.S. boys in 2024.