Alan is a masculine given name that has its roots in the Celtic language. It is a variation of the name Allan, which means "little rock" or "harmony" in Gaelic. The name became popular in the English-speaking world during the 20th century and has remained a popular choice for parents ever since. Famous people with the name Alan include Alan Turing, the mathematician and computer scientist who played a key role in cracking the Nazi Enigma code during World War II, and Alan Rickman, the British actor best known for his roles in the Harry Potter films and Die Hard.
Alan rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Alan
| Al | AL-un | Short and simple nickname for Alan |
| Ally | AL-ee | A more affectionate nickname for Alan |
| Lanny | LAN-ee | A playful nickname for Alan |
| Len | LEHN | A shortened nickname for Alan |
| Allie | AL-ee | A more feminine nickname for Alan |
| A | AY | A one-letter nickname for Alan |
Famous people named Alan
| Alan Turing | Mathematician and Computer Scientist | Father of modern computing, helped crack the Nazi Enigma code during WWII |
| Alan Rickman | Actor | Known for his roles in Harry Potter, Die Hard, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves |
| Alan Alda | Actor and Director | Known for his role as Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H and directing several films |
| Alan Greenspan | Economist | Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, served from 1987 to 2006 |
| Alan Jackson | Country Musician | One of the most successful country music artists of all time, known for hits like "Chattahoochee" and "Remember When |
| Alan Shepard | Astronaut | First American in space, and later, commander of the Apollo 14 mission to the moon |
| Alan Cumming | Actor and Activist | Known for his roles in X-Men 2 and The Good Wife, and his activism for LGBTQ rights |
| Alan Watts | Philosopher and Writer | Known for popularizing Eastern philosophy in the West through his books and lectures |
| Alan Arkin | Actor | Known for his roles in Little Miss Sunshine, Argo, and The Kominsky Method |
| Alan Lomax | Musicologist and Folklorist | Known for his pioneering work in documenting American folk music and preserving it for future generations |
Fictional character called Alan from pop culture
| Alan Harper | Two and a Half Men | Charlie's younger brother and roommate, known for his unsuccessful love life and career as a chiropractor. |
| Alan Parrish | Jumanji | The main character who gets trapped in a board game for 26 years and is played by Robin Williams. |
| Alan Bradley | Tron | The protagonist's real-world identity in the Tron franchise, played by Bruce Boxleitner. |
| Alan Grant | Jurassic Park | A paleontologist who is invited to preview a new dinosaur theme park in the movie Jurassic Park. |
| Alan Garner | The Hangover | One of the main characters in the movie trilogy, known for his eccentric personality and wild antics. |
| Alan Shore | Boston Legal | A lawyer played by James Spader, known for his unorthodox and controversial methods. |
| Alan Tracy | Thunderbirds | The youngest of the Tracy brothers and the pilot of Thunderbird 3 in the original TV series. |
| Alan Bradley | The Matrix | A character played by Joe Pantoliano, who is a programmer and one of the main antagonists in the movie. |
| Alan Wrench | Bob the Builder | A character in the children's television show who is a mechanic and handyman. |
| Alan-a-Dale | Robin Hood | A minstrel and member of Robin Hood's band of Merry Men in the legend of Robin Hood. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Alan
| What is the origin of the name Alan? | The name Alan is of Celtic origin, derived from the Gaelic word 'ailin', meaning 'little rock'. |
| What is the meaning of the name Alan? | The name Alan means 'handsome' or 'harmony' in Irish Gaelic. |
| Is Alan a popular name? | Yes, Alan has been a popular name in many countries for several decades. It was particularly popular in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. |
| Is Alan a unisex name? | No, Alan is traditionally a masculine name. |
| What are some famous people with the name Alan? | Famous people with the name Alan include Alan Rickman, Alan Turing, Alan Greenspan, and Alan Thicke. |
| What are some variations of the name Alan? | Variations of the name Alan include Allan, Allen, and Alain. |
| What is the nickname for Alan? | Common nicknames for Alan include Al and Albie. |