Allen
A boys’ name of Celtic origin, meaning fair; bright; handsome.
How Allen has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #350 |
| 2016 | #370 |
| 2017 | #403 |
| 2018 | #421 |
| 2019 | #436 |
| 2020 | #464 |
| 2021 | #523 |
| 2022 | #562 |
| 2023 | #516 |
| 2024 | #573 |
| 2025 | #578 |
Allen by the numbers
In 2025, 6 babies in England and Wales were named Allen. In the US, 787 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given far more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 5,182 babies in 1951, so it is a 1950s name that has since fallen a long way.
At its height, in 1950, about 1 in 380 American boys born that year was called Allen.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Allen. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Aldenold friend; from ald and wine425 in the US (2017)
- Allanfair, handsome; variant of Alan301 in the US (2017)
- Alenbright; a form of Alan38 in the US (2017)
- Allynnoble friend; a form of Alden or Allen13 in the US (2017)
- Allecdefender of men; a form of Alexander8 in the US (2017)
- Allonoak tree8 in the US (2017)
Sounds like Allen
Names that are said the same way as Allen, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Alanfair or handsome2,441 in the US (2017)
- Aylanfair or handsome; a form of Alan15 in England and Wales (2025)
- Alainbright or fair; a form of Alan55 in the US (2017)
- Alonoak tree24 in the US (2017)
- Alinfair; bright; a form of Alan5 in England and Wales (2025)
- Alannfair; bright; a form of alan10 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean beauty
Like Allen, each of these has beauty in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Kevinhandsome at birth3,813 in the US (2017)
- Finleyfair-haired warrior1,733 in England and Wales (2025)
- Mackenzieson of the fair one; surname used as given name2,976 in the US (2017)
- Jadejade stone; symbol of virtue and beauty2,765 in the US (2017)
- Beauhandsome487 in England and Wales (2025)
- Finnfair or white706 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean light
Like Allen, each of these has light in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Lucasbringer of light; from Lucania12,963 in the US (2017)
- Lukefrom Lucania; light9,168 in the US (2017)
- Robertbright fame; renowned warrior5,507 in the US (2017)
- Lucabringer of light3,266 in England and Wales (2025)
- Elliottbright fame; a form of Elijah2,996 in the US (2017)
- Elliotbright fame; a form of Elijah544 in England and Wales (2025)
Names about as common as Allen
Nobody has voted for Allen yet
Vote for Allen and put it up against all the other baby names
Vote for Allen