First Name
269k
in the U.S.
since 1880
Last Name
483k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
First
Last
On This Page
  1. Related Names
  2. Pronunciation
  3. Meanings and Origins
  4. Notable Persons Named Allen
  5. Notable Persons With the Last Name Allen
  6. Popularity by Year and Gender
  7. Regional Popularity
  8. Ethnicity Distribution
  9. Fun Facts
  10. What Allens Have Visited This Page?
  11. Name Poster

How to Pronounce Allen

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Meaning and Origin

What does the name Allen mean? Find out below.

Origin and Meaning of Allen

User Submitted Meanings

  • A submission from Nebraska, United States says the name Allen means "Kingly" and is of English origin.
  • A submission from United Kingdom says the name Allen means "Rock" and is of Unknown origin.
Other origins: French

Submit the origin and/or meaning of Allen to us below

Other Dictionary Sources
  1. A soldier of the American Revolution whose troops helped capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British (1738-1789)
    Synonyms: ethan allen
  2. United States filmmaker and comic actor (1935-)
    Synonyms: allen stewart konigsberg and woody allen
  3. United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
    Synonyms: grace ethel cecile rosalie allen, gracie, and gracie allen
Wiktionary
  1. An English and Scottish surname​ derived from the given name Alan.
  2. A male given name, a variant of Alan; in modern use often transferred from the surname.

Allen was also found in the following language(s): Translingual and Hungarian

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Notable Persons Named Allen

Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson is a basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers, Beşiktaş, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies. His career lasted from 1996 to 2011. Allen was born on June 7th, 1975 in Hampton, Virginia.

Popularity:
Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer is an actor, voice actor, comedian, producer, director, writer, singer, and activist. He was most prominent from 1979 to present. Kelsey was given the name Allen Kelsey Grammer on February 21st, 1955 in Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Popularity:
Allen Ginsberg

Allen Ginsberg was a writer. Allen was given the name Irwin Allen Ginsberg on June 3rd, 1926 in Newark, New Jersey, U.S. He breathed his last breath on April 5th, 1997.

Popularity:
Allen West

His military service ended in 2004. Allen was born on February 7th, 1961 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Popularity:
Allen Leech

Allen Leech is an actor. He was most prominent from 1998 to present. Allen was given the name Alan Leech on May 18th, 1981 in Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland.

Popularity:
Allen Dulles

Allen Dulles was a Director of Central Intelligence. Allen was born on April 7th, 1893 in Watertown (city), New York. He left this life on January 29th, 1969.

Popularity:
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Notable Persons With the Last Name Allen

Woody Allen

Woody Allen is an actor, comedian, filmmaker, and playwright. His most notable accomplishments were from 1950 to present. Woody was given the name Allan Stewart Konigsberg on December 1st, 1935 in The Bronx, New York, U.S. Woody is also known as Heywood Allen.

Popularity:
Ray Allen

Ray Allen is a basketball player for the Free agent, Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat. He has had major accomplishments since 1996. Ray was born on July 20th, 1975 in Castle Air Force Base.

Popularity:
Tim Allen

Tim Allen is an actor and comedian. He was most active from 1975 to present. Tim was given the name Timothy Allen Dick on June 13th, 1953 in Denver, Colorado, United States.

Popularity:
Lily Allen

Lily Allen is a singer, songwriter, actress, and presenter. She holds the title LDN" and Smile". Lily was given the name Lily Rose Beatrice Allen by her parents Keith Allen (actor) and Alison Owen on May 2nd, 1985 in Hammersmith, London, England.

Popularity:
Paul Allen

Paul Allen is a philanthropist, investor, entrepreneur, author, sports owner, guitarist, filmmaker, explorer, neuroscience supporter, space pioneer, and philanthropy. Paul was given the name Paul Gardner Allen on January 21st, 1953 in Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Popularity:
Alfie Allen

Alfie Allen is an actor. Alfie was given the name Alfie Evan James Allen by his parents Keith Allen (actor) and Alison Owen on September 12th, 1986 in Hammersmith, London, England.

Popularity:
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How popular is the baby name Allen in the U.S.?

Click Here to Show Chart Data
Year Total Babies Born Girls Born Boys Born Ranking
1880 184 0 184 #82 boy name
1881 172 0 172 #81 boy name
1882 206 0 206 #80 boy name
1883 175 0 175 #82 boy name
1884 182 0 182 #87 boy name
1885 184 0 184 #87 boy name
1886 211 0 211 #82 boy name
1887 202 0 202 #81 boy name
1888 260 0 260 #75 boy name
1889 222 0 222 #79 boy name
1890 189 0 189 #91 boy name
1891 173 0 173 #94 boy name
1892 224 0 224 #89 boy name
1893 180 0 180 #99 boy name
1894 219 0 219 #89 boy name
1895 196 0 196 #99 boy name
1896 225 6 219 #91 boy name
1897 226 0 226 #82 boy name
1898 190 5 185
1899 191 0 191 #91 boy name
1900 231 8 223
1901 199 0 199 #88 boy name
1902 227 0 227 #89 boy name
1903 224 5 219 #91 boy name
1904 228 0 228 #96 boy name
1905 272 0 272 #88 boy name
1906 282 0 282 #84 boy name
1907 317 8 309 #85 boy name
1908 292 5 287 #92 boy name
1909 318 6 312 #93 boy name
1910 364 9 355 #92 boy name
1911 414 12 402 #98 boy name
1912 743 13 730
1913 918 15 903 #100 boy name
1914 1,074 25 1,049
1915 1,483 25 1,458 #99 boy name
1916 1,584 12 1,572
1917 1,617 25 1,592 #100 boy name
1918 1,801 22 1,779 #98 boy name
1919 1,672 19 1,653
1920 1,885 19 1,866 #94 boy name
1921 1,962 24 1,938 #94 boy name
1922 1,920 33 1,887 #95 boy name
1923 1,890 15 1,875 #97 boy name
1924 2,069 25 2,044 #94 boy name
1925 2,071 36 2,035 #94 boy name
1926 2,039 20 2,019 #93 boy name
1927 2,132 30 2,102 #95 boy name
1928 2,162 25 2,137 #93 boy name
1929 2,215 28 2,187 #87 boy name
1930 2,309 30 2,279 #85 boy name
1931 2,331 25 2,306 #79 boy name
1932 2,446 27 2,419 #80 boy name
1933 2,227 23 2,204 #84 boy name
1934 2,260 16 2,244 #88 boy name
1935 2,331 20 2,311 #83 boy name
1936 2,324 11 2,313 #81 boy name
1937 2,531 13 2,518 #76 boy name
1938 2,851 19 2,832 #73 boy name
1939 2,955 27 2,928 #72 boy name
1940 3,047 16 3,031 #71 boy name
1941 3,078 21 3,057 #73 boy name
1942 3,604 33 3,571 #71 boy name
1943 3,657 30 3,627 #76 boy name
1944 3,432 13 3,419 #77 boy name
1945 3,500 18 3,482 #74 boy name
1946 4,308 16 4,292 #74 boy name
1947 5,097 24 5,073 #73 boy name
1948 4,785 25 4,760 #72 boy name
1949 4,753 21 4,732 #71 boy name
1950 4,861 19 4,842 #71 boy name
1951 5,206 24 5,182 #72 boy name
1952 4,974 15 4,959 #78 boy name
1953 4,874 20 4,854 #81 boy name
1954 4,851 23 4,828 #82 boy name
1955 4,769 24 4,745 #84 boy name
1956 4,623 26 4,597 #87 boy name
1957 4,442 14 4,428 #91 boy name
1958 4,532 24 4,508 #92 boy name
1959 4,379 17 4,362 #97 boy name
1960 4,394 20 4,374 #99 boy name
1961 4,413 26 4,387 #96 boy name
1962 4,296 26 4,270 #93 boy name
1963 4,356 17 4,339 #90 boy name
1964 4,129 23 4,106 #93 boy name
1965 3,857 19 3,838 #92 boy name
1966 3,443 26 3,417 #97 boy name
1967 3,150 24 3,126 #100 boy name
1968 2,983 18 2,965 #100 boy name
1969 2,915 25 2,890
1970 2,954 21 2,933
1971 2,688 15 2,673
1972 2,312 8 2,304
1973 2,095 15 2,080
1974 2,116 13 2,103
1975 2,049 12 2,037
1976 1,988 18 1,970
1977 1,842 24 1,818
1978 1,835 9 1,826
1979 1,959 17 1,942
1980 2,227 17 2,210
1981 2,082 19 2,063
1982 2,239 22 2,217
1983 2,266 19 2,247
1984 2,145 21 2,124
1985 2,207 21 2,186
1986 2,150 32 2,118
1987 2,189 17 2,172
1988 2,219 10 2,209
1989 2,371 12 2,359
1990 2,233 15 2,218
1991 2,122 14 2,108
1992 1,929 12 1,917
1993 1,912 13 1,899
1994 1,759 12 1,747
1995 1,561 11 1,550
1996 1,472 5 1,467
1997 1,413 7 1,406
1998 1,314 0 1,314
1999 1,320 5 1,315
2000 1,355 8 1,347
2001 1,392 7 1,385
2002 1,384 6 1,378
2003 1,316 0 1,316
2004 1,303 8 1,295
2005 1,228 5 1,223
2006 1,224 0 1,224
2007 1,194 0 1,194
2008 1,146 9 1,137
2009 1,032 0 1,032
2010 978 8 970
2011 1,005 5 1,000
2012 963 5 958
2013 922 7 915
2014 862 5 857
2015 972 0 972
2016 897 6 891
2017 787 0 787
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Where is the name Allen popular?

View popular names by state or region.

Popularity of Allen as a first name

The map shows the relative popularity of the name Allen as a first name in each of the states. See other popular names in North Dakota, South Dakota, or West Virginia.

Popularity of Allen as a last name

The map shows the relative popularity of the name Allen as a last name in each of the states. See other popular names in Georgia, North Carolina, or Mississippi.

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Common last names for Allen

  • Smith
  • Johnson
  • Jones
  • Brown
  • Williams
  • Davis
  • Miller
  • Anderson
  • Thomas
  • Thompson
  • Moore
  • White
  • Wilson
  • Taylor
  • Clark
  • Harris
  • Martin
  • Green
  • Walker

Common first names for Allen

Ethnicity Distribution

Ethnicity Allen U.S.
█  White 67.59% 64.26%
█  African American 26.17% 11.96%
█  Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander 0.54% 4.85%
█  American Indian and Alaska Native 0.86% 0.69%
█  Two or More Ethnicities 2.38% 1.76%
█  Hispanic or Latino 2.47% 16.26%

Of Last Name Allen

People with the last name Allen are most frequently White or African American

Entire United States

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Fun Facts about the name Allen

  • What name lists does Allen rank for?
    #129Most Popular Boy Name
    #51Classic Boy Names
    #4 Last Name First Names
  • How Popular is the name Allen? Allen is the 276th most popular name of all time. As a last name Allen was the 33rd most popular name in 2010.
  • How many people with the first name Allen have been born in the United States? From 1880 to 2017, the Social Security Administration has recorded 268,817 babies born with the first name Allen in the United States. That's more than enough people named Allen to occupy the territory of New Caledonia (France) with an estimated population of 259,000 (as of July 1, 2012).
  • What year were 5 or more babies first named Allen? The name was first given to 5 or more babies in the year 1880 when it was given as a first name to 184 new born babies.
  • When was Allen first recorded in the United States? The oldest recorded birth by the Social Security Administration for the first name Allen is Friday, March 3rd, 1865.
  • What year had the most people named Allen born? The highest recorded use of the first name Allen was in 1951 with a total of 5,182 babies. That's a lot of babies named Allen!
  • Random Allen Factoid: According to the 1970 U.S. Social Security Administration data, the first name Allen ranks 98th in popularity as a baby boy's name in Oklahoma. Imagine that, 45 babies in Oklahoma have the same name as you in 1970.
  • Weird things about the name Allen: Your name in reverse order is Nella. A random rearrangement of the letters in your name (anagram) will give Lnlae. How do you pronounce that?
  • How many people have the last name Allen? In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau surveyed 482,607 people with the last name Allen.
  • How likely are you to meet someone with the last name of Allen? Allen was ranked as the 33rd most popular last name but is still less than 0.1% of the population!
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What Allens Have Visited This Page?

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Name poster for Allen

Name poster for Allen(click to save the high quality version)

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Most Popular Names

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All Name Lists

  • Sources:
  • U.S. Census Bureau: Frequently Occurring Surnames from the Census 2000 (public domain).
  • U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names, Death Master File (public domain).
  • Other Dictionary Sources: WordNet 3.1 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University (License).
  • Wiktionary: Titles and License.
  • Notable persons via Wikipedia: Titles and License. Click each image for the attribution information.