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Allen as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Allen

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The baby name Allen is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈælən/ (AL-ən).

Allen is Celtic in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Celtic
Pronunciation: /ˈælən/ (AL-ən)

What is the meaning of the name Allen ?

The baby name Allen is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈælən/ (AL-ən).

Allen is Celtic in Origin.

Allen is the Anglicized spelling of a Celtic name related to Breton Alan and the Gaelic forms Ailín (Irish) and Ailean (Scottish). Its exact meaning is debated: scholars link it either to Gaelic ail, rock, with the diminutive -ín ("little rock"), or to an Old Breton root yielding senses such as handsome or noble, sometimes glossed as cheerful. Because of these strands, modern interpretations cluster around little rock and handsome.

The name traveled to England and Scotland with Breton settlers after 1066 and became widespread in medieval records, later common as both a given name and a surname across Britain and Ireland. In the United States, Allen rose strongly in the early to mid-20th century and remains familiar today. International variants and spellings include Alan, Allan, Alain (French), Alen (South Slavic), Alyn, and the Gaelic Ailín/Ailean; related feminine forms are Alana and Alaina. Nicknames include Al and Allie.

Allen has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Allen

Allen Ginsberg Musician · Born 1926 · United States Allen Ginsberg was a prominent American poet, best known for his role in the Beat Generation. His most famous work, 'Howl', challenged societal norms and censorship laws. Ginsberg's influence extended beyond poetry, impacting the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Allen W. Dulles Politician · Born 1893 · United States Allen W. Dulles was a prominent American diplomat and intelligence officer, best known for serving as the Director of Central Intelligence during the early Cold War years. He played a key role in shaping U.S. intelligence operations and was involved in significant events like the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Dulles's tenure marked a pivotal period in the history of the CIA. Allen Leech Actor · Born 1981 · Ireland Allen Leech is an Irish actor best known for playing Tom Branson in Downton Abbey. He’s also known for his role as Paul Prenter in the film Bohemian Rhapsody.
Al Snow Actor · Born 1963 · United States Al Snow, born Allen Ray Sarven, is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling and WWE. He became especially famous for his “Head” gimmick during the Attitude Era. Allen Covert Actor · Born 1964 · United States Allen Covert is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer best known for starring in the comedy Grandma's Boy. He's also known for supporting roles in Strange Wilderness and other comedy projects. Allen Lanier Musician · Born 1946 · United States Allen Lanier was best known as an original member of Blue Öyster Cult, where he played keyboards and guitar. He performed with the band on well-known songs like "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," "Burnin' for You," and "Godzilla."

Allen – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Boys 2010 #1 — 751
FJ Girls 0 #9 1 583
CN Boys 0 #18 1,096 9,639
TW Boys 0 #18 670 7,111
BW 0 #19 1 960
TW 0 #26 78 4,523
KR Boys 0 #27 1 897
BN 0 #31 2 2,297
NA 0 #31 3 2,537
ID 0 #39 1 2,238
CN 0 #40 46 3,857
MO 0 #46 7 2,706
PH 0 #67 30 5,607
IN 0 #71 1 2,963
JP 0 #76 2 4,057
MV Boys 0 #78 2 3,375
QA 0 #89 12 7,011
JM 0 #91 3 3,714
AF Girls 0 #93 2 2,402
BW Boys 0 #105 45 4,685
GE Boys 0 #109 2 2,055
BN Girls 0 #114 1 5,459
KW 0 #116 6 5,216
BN Boys 0 #117 17 6,332
MO Boys 0 #117 114 5,842
OM 0 #119 3 6,215
EE Boys 0 #124 2 2,087
IQ 0 #130 4 3,533
CY Boys 0 #131 1 3,473
ID Boys 0 #134 2 4,130
GR 0 #135 1 3,911
MU 0 #136 2 3,613
PA 0 #136 3 3,797
CR 0 #142 17 5,526
RS Boys 0 #148 7 2,277
BW Girls 0 #150 2 4,216
LT Boys 0 #151 1 2,166
AE 0 #157 21 10,220
PH Boys 0 #166 261 11,440
PR Girls 0 #167 1 3,171
HU Boys 0 #173 2 3,954
MT Boys 0 #175 5 4,064
PR Boys 0 #175 4 2,508
Sweden Girls 2020 #178 3 1,663
HK Boys 0 #179 742 12,905
HR 0 #180 2 2,081
Sweden Boys 2022 #181 2 1,509
UY 0 #182 1 2,477
CZ 0 #186 1 3,154
NA Boys 0 #188 48 6,830
RU 0 #193 2 3,641
SI Boys 0 #198 12 3,402
DK 0 #204 3 5,198
LU Boys 0 #215 6 4,970
BD 0 #216 12 5,992
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
SG 0 #222 48 11,010
PS 0 #225 2 5,692
NA Girls 0 #233 5 7,146
NG 0 #238 27 5,926
HR Boys 0 #239 20 3,997
AO Boys 0 #242 8 5,568
MO Girls 0 #242 10 7,056
GH 0 #244 5 5,396
EC Boys 0 #245 2 3,322
JP Girls 0 #248 4 6,592
GR Girls 0 #249 1 6,293
CR Boys 0 #251 307 10,188
JM Boys 0 #252 21 6,876
HK 0 #254 97 8,483
TW Girls 0 #254 23 8,139
MY 0 #266 65 12,352
KZ Boys 0 #267 23 6,578
GR Boys 0 #269 5 6,912
AF Boys 0 #273 2 3,535
JM Girls 0 #275 4 7,507
JP Boys 0 #277 21 7,909
IL 0 #282 1 6,291
Canada Boys 2024 #283 24 2,588
SA 0 #284 12 10,560
QA Girls 0 #292 25 15,378
CZ Boys 0 #301 5 6,530
AL Boys 0 #303 1 5,122
CN Girls 0 #310 40 8,829
DK Boys 0 #313 13 7,401
GH Boys 0 #315 31 8,138
PH Girls 0 #321 70 13,098
PE 0 #327 3 6,350
JO Girls 0 #331 9 7,570
KZ Girls 0 #331 2 5,862
GH Girls 0 #334 4 6,973
OM Girls 0 #334 63 15,987
MU Boys 0 #335 23 8,477
GT 0 #338 1 5,948
SG Boys 0 #338 446 17,960
PL Boys 0 #339 2 6,459
ZA 0 #348 100 14,421
CZ Girls 0 #350 2 5,378
SD Girls 0 #356 3 7,678
BR 0 #358 3 5,969
MU Girls 0 #362 1 8,539
PT Boys 0 #374 8 7,951
ZA Boys 0 #374 1,567 25,619
France Boys 2021 #381 7 2,865
UY Boys 0 #383 17 5,922
JO Boys 0 #387 3 7,057
YE 0 #391 8 8,639
PA Boys 0 #395 87 9,305
BD Girls 0 #402 5 8,413
BO 0 #407 2 6,868
MY Boys 0 #409 1,025 25,439
EG 0 #412 1 6,387
Finland Boys 0 #418 10 2,041
Austria Boys 0 #424 19 2,180
CL 0 #426 9 6,867
MX 0 #437 9 8,339
BD Boys 0 #453 127 10,045
KW Girls 0 #455 61 19,177
GT Boys 0 #460 15 7,625
SD Boys 0 #461 6 10,523
IQ Girls 0 #470 35 11,303
NG Boys 0 #470 728 16,906
PT Girls 0 #470 2 7,952
RU Girls 0 #471 28 11,913
United States Boys 2024 #477 497 7,044
RU Boys 0 #480 26 12,621
AR Boys 0 #481 3 7,628
AE Girls 0 #487 67 20,968
BH 0 #494 60 17,937
CO 0 #504 7 7,768
CM Boys 0 #511 40 12,054
PS Boys 0 #511 38 10,655
PS Girls 0 #513 11 10,981
PA Girls 0 #516 3 9,861
LY 0 #522 14 12,703
IR Boys 0 #531 22 10,162
UY Girls 0 #535 2 6,731
GT Girls 0 #541 1 7,500
IR Girls 0 #543 3 8,334
SG Girls 0 #549 38 18,916
CM Girls 0 #557 4 11,671
IL Boys 0 #564 44 10,983
CR Girls 0 #569 5 11,342
HK Girls 0 #575 41 16,104
BO Boys 0 #577 16 9,244
CL Boys 0 #579 87 13,390
QA Boys 0 #607 101 18,093
IQ Boys 0 #619 49 13,071
AR Girls 0 #629 2 8,289
LB 0 #637 22 13,263
IL Girls 0 #638 8 11,648
BO Girls 0 #649 3 9,488
IN Girls 0 #649 6 13,121
NG Girls 0 #661 127 15,093
Finland Boys 2026 #671 12 3,552
KW Boys 0 #682 88 18,755
IT 0 #695 20 4,183
SY 0 #705 24 11,684
BR Boys 0 #716 36 12,213
PE Boys 0 #736 143 14,506
OM Boys 0 #797 85 17,948
TN 0 #816 14 13,765
CO Boys 0 #817 104 15,656
MX Boys 0 #823 161 16,355
SA Girls 0 #824 112 25,931
CL Girls 0 #841 11 14,098
AE Boys 0 #853 241 22,615
EG Boys 0 #856 31 15,035
Spain Boys 0 #867 64 5,610
NL Boys 0 #894 58 5,873
Germany Boys 0 #904 49 5,697
United States Girls 2020 #907 11 8,768
EG Girls 0 #932 28 14,742
MY Girls 0 #941 54 24,821
IN Boys 0 #944 58 16,750
BR Girls 0 #987 6 12,708
PE Girls 0 #1,002 9 14,861
ZA Girls 0 #1,043 99 25,928
CO Girls 0 #1,068 11 16,140
MA 0 #1,106 23 20,986
DZ 0 #1,135 42 20,130
TR 0 #1,166 46 19,440
MX Girls 0 #1,169 15 17,781
IT Boys 0 #1,200 272 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,205 422 28,008
IT Girls 0 #1,405 42 9,415

Allen is popular in 88 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Ireland
Canada
United States
Scotland, United Kingdom

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People also ask about Allen

Allen is predominantly a boy's name.
Allen is a 2 syllable name, pronounced /ˈælən/ (AL-ən).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Alan, Allan, Allyn, Allin, Alain and Allain.
Across languages, Allen has these equivalents: Alain (French), Ailín / Ailean (Irish/Scottish Gaelic), Alano (Italian/Spanish), Alen (Slavic), Alun (Welsh).
Yes, very popular — Allen ranked #1 in Ireland in 2010, and appears in official birth registries across 7 countries.
Allen ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2010).
Allen's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2001 to #1 in 2010 in Ireland.
Yes — 6 notable people named Allen are in our database, including Allen Ginsberg (Musician), Allen W. Dulles (Politician), Allen Leech (Actor).