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Allen

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

Boy's name · #578 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Allen has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #71 (1940) · 271,796 babies named Allen all-time · 1 in 3,300 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 6,600 boys in Canada (2024).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 35 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Allens

• Allen Ginsberg — American poet and writer (1926–1997)
• Allen Iverson — American basketball player
• Allen W. Dulles — first civilian and longest-serving Director of Central Intelligence (DCI)
• Allen Newell — American cognitive scientist (1927–1992)
• Allen Johnson — American hurdler

In stories & tradition

• Allen Walker — D.Gray-man
• Allen Francis Doyle — Buffyverse
• Allen Snider — Street Fighter

What Allens become

Among 1,221 notable people named Allen:

No single standout — notable Allens spread across many fields.

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

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