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Alan

“Origin disputed; possibly linked to a word for noble” — Old Breton origin

Boy's name · #191 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Alan has appeared in US records since 1882 — best rank #40 (1951) · 363,313 babies named Alan all-time · 1 in 890 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: #50 in Puerto Rico (2025) · #56 in Poland (2025) · #77 in Spain (2024).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 41 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Alans

• Alan Turing — English computer scientist (1912–1954)
• Alan Rickman — British actor and director (1946–2016)
• Alan Shearer — English footballer
• Alan Arkin — American actor, filmmaker (1934–2023)
• Alan García — President of Peru (1985–1990 and 2006–2011)

In stories & tradition

• Alan Scott — All-American Comics
• Alan Grant — Jurassic Park · Jurassic Park III
• Alan Partridge — I'm Alan Partridge · Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

What Alans become

Among 5,695 notable people named Alan:

Athletes appear 1.39× more often than among typical names — e.g. Alan Shearer, English footballer.

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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