The story behind Allan
A male given name from the Celtic languages, a less common spelling of Alan.
Other language forms and explanations (2)
Finnish entry
From English Allan at the end of the 19th century.
Tagalog entry
Borrowed from English Allan, Alan, probably of Old Breton or Irish origin.
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): AE1 L AH0 N
Regional pronunciation variants
- Finnish: /ˈɑlːɑn/
- Finnish: [ˈɑ̝lːɑ̝n]
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: /ˈʔalan/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: [ˈʔaː.lɐn̪]
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Allan ranked #1013 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Allan
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ailean
a male given name from the Celtic languages, equivalent to English Alan
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Alan
From Old Breton Alan, name of early Breton saints, of disputed origin and meaning; brought to England by Normans. It may have been the name of a Celtic deity, the brother of…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Allen
A male given name from the Celtic languages, a variant of Alan; in modern use often transferred from the surname.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Alvin
From Old English Ælfwine, made up of ælf (“elf”) + wine (“friend”). Borrowed from English Alvin.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Āryan
Borrowed from English Aryan, which derives ultimately from Sanskrit आर्य (ā́rya), from Proto-Indo-Iranian *Áryas.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Allan
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Agatha
Borrowed from Latin Agatha, from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), from Ancient Greek ἀγαθός (agathós, “good”). Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), feminine of ἀγαθός…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aidano
From English Aidan, from Irish Aodhán.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Allan
Belle
From French belle (“beauty, beautiful”), from Latin bella. Diminutive of Isabelle and Annabelle.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Berry
From berry; also a pet form of Beryl, Berenice, or Berinthia.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Beryl
From beryl or an anglicization of Yiddish בערל (berl, literally “little bear”). Borrowed from English Beryl, from beryl.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length