Name meaning & stats

Allan

Allan means “little rock, or handsome (debated)” (Celtic origin). 74,007 US babies since 1940, peak 1947. Notable Allans are 1.7× over-represented as professors.

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What it means

“little rock, or handsome (debated)”

CelticDebated

In US birth records

Peak year: 1947

74,007 US babies were named Allan between 1940 and 2025.

Where Allans end up

Not enough notable Allans yet, so this uses the spelling family: Alan, Allen, Allan, Alain.

Career	vs expected	Confidence
Footballer	1.4×	High · 329 people
Professor	1.7×	High · 281 people
Politician	1.0×	High · 251 people
Writer	1.3×	High · 197 people

Among notable men who are professors, the Alan family show up 1.7× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.

Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.

One more thing…

Allan has a surprise career: 1.9×

Reveal it in Allan's story

Spelling family

1 in 9 Alans spell it Allan

Alan 53%
Allen 33%
Allan 12%
Allyn 1%
Alain 1%
Alen <1%
Alon <1%
Allon <1%
Alyan <1%
Alioune <1%

Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.

Name twins (peaked around 1947)