Harlan

“Grey land, or hare's land” — Old English origin

Boy's name · #617 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Harlan was #253 in 1924, slipped to #2061 by 2004, and has climbed back to #617 today. About 26,000 boys have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Around the world: about 1 in 3,300 boys in England & Wales (2025) · about 1 in 3,600 boys in Canada (2024) · about 1 in 6,500 boys in Scotland (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 34 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Harlans

Harlan Ellison — American writer (1934–2018)
Harlan Coben — American writer
Harlan F. Stone — chief justice of the United States from 1941 to 1946
Harlan Marbley — boxer (1943–2008)
Harlan Mathews — American politician (1927–2014)

In stories & tradition

Harlan Wade — F.E.A.R. · F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

What Harlans become

Among 138 notable people named Harlan:

Scientists & scholars appear 1.38× more often than among typical names — e.g. Harlan Parker Banks, American paleobotanist and phycologist (1913–1998).

Similar names: Arlan · Woodrow · Arlen · Winston · Archie · Harley

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

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