Alan is a moderately popular boys' name in United States, ranking #161 in 1998 with 2,138 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2006 with 3,475 births ranking #122. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 12.6%. In 1998, approximately 1 in every 894 boys born was named Alan. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Alan is an old Celtic name with a long European history, but its exact meaning is uncertain. It is often linked with ideas such as rock, harmony, or a pleasant appearance, though none of these explanations is fully settled.
The name was carried into England by the Bretons after the Norman Conquest and remained in steady use for centuries. Its simple form has helped it travel well across many languages.