Allen Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Allen is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Allen?
Allen is spelled A-L-L-E-N. The name has 5 letters.
Allen at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Allen may derive from a Celtic word meaning “little rock” or “harmony.”
- Origin
- Allen is commonly associated with Celtic origins and may derive from the Gaelic name Ailín.
- Pronunciation
- AL-uhn · 2 syllables
Allen Popularity in 2025
Rank#578
Recorded Births507
- Boys usage fell 6 places to #578 and recorded 5 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Allen Mean?
Allen may derive from a Celtic word meaning “little rock” or “harmony.”
Origin: Allen is commonly associated with Celtic origins and may derive from the Gaelic name Ailín.
How Do You Pronounce Allen?
PronunciationAL-uhn
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Allen?
- History
- Historical records show the name Allen used in medieval Scotland and England, often first as a surname before becoming a given name.
Allen Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2010 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 507 | #578 |
| 2024 | Boys | 502 | #572 |
| 2023 | Boys | 573 | #517 |
| 2022 | Boys | 529 | #561 |
| 2021 | Boys | 559 | #524 |
| 2020 | Girls | 11 | #8,953 |
| 2020 | Boys | 638 | #463 |
| 2019 | Girls | 7 | #12,448 |
| 2019 | Boys | 702 | #436 |
| 2018 | Boys | 741 | #421 |
| 2017 | Boys | 791 | #403 |
| 2016 | Girls | 6 | #14,331 |
| 2016 | Boys | 895 | #370 |
| 2015 | Boys | 976 | #349 |
| 2014 | Girls | 5 | #16,513 |
| 2014 | Boys | 860 | #367 |
| 2013 | Girls | 7 | #13,150 |
| 2013 | Boys | 917 | #348 |
| 2012 | Girls | 5 | #16,869 |
| 2012 | Boys | 959 | #329 |
| 2011 | Girls | 5 | #16,764 |
| 2011 | Boys | 1,005 | #317 |
| 2010 | Girls | 8 | #12,276 |
| 2010 | Boys | 975 | #322 |
When Was Allen Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1951 · Boys
5,179 recorded births
National rank #72
1947 · Boys
5,075 recorded births
National rank #73
1952 · Boys
4,956 recorded births
National rank #78
1953 · Boys
4,854 recorded births
National rank #81
Where Allen Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| LA | #293 | 17 |
| PA | #342 | 32 |
| MS | #370 | 8 |
| NE | #377 | 6 |
| KS | #386 | 9 |
| OK | #464 | 9 |
| WA | #474 | 15 |
| TN | #477 | 16 |