Allen: name meaning, origin & popularity
- Meaning
- “little rock; handsome”
- Origin
- Celtic
- Say it
- AL-en · 2 syllables
- Used for
- Boys
Usually an English surname and given name from Alan/Allen. The original meaning of Alan is uncertain; proposed Celtic senses include 'little rock' or 'handsome,' so the etymology is not fully settled.
How popular is Allen?
Babies named Allen in 2024497
2024 rank#573 boys
Peak year1947
Total US babies since 1880273,148
Allen is fading: recent use is about 65% of its level ten years before.
Names like Allen
Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.
Allen questions
What does the name Allen mean?
Allen means "little rock; handsome". It comes from Celtic. Usually an English surname and given name from Alan/Allen. The original meaning of Alan is uncertain; proposed Celtic senses include 'little rock' or 'handsome,' so the etymology is not fully settled.
Is Allen a boy or girl name?
Allen is mainly a boy's name in US records (99% of uses since 1880).
How popular is Allen?
497 US babies were named Allen in 2024. Its peak year was 1947.
How do you pronounce Allen?
Allen is usually pronounced AL-en.
Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.