"handsome, fair"
Origin: Gaelic
Language: Irish
Allen
Pronunciation: [ AL-uhn ]
Does Allen flow with your last name?
A classic Celtic name crossing gender boundaries
American
British
Irish
Classic
Strong
Vintage
Bold
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Allen
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Allen
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"harmony, little rock"
Origin: Celtic Breton
Language: French
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Allen
See all →What the Allen report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Allen the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Allen
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Allen head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Allen actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Allen is overwhelmingly perceived as a masculine name, which may cause social confusion for girls
The Story of Allen
Allen is primarily a masculine Celtic name, from the Gaelic Aluinn meaning handsome or fair, or from the Breton place name Alaine. As a girl name, Allen is part of a long tradition of gender-crossing surnames used as given names for girls in the United States, a practice that gained popularity in the 20th century as parents sought names that felt strong and distinctive.
Allen as a girl name is extremely rare, reflecting the broader trend of parents choosing traditionally masculine names for daughters. While crossover names like Avery, Cameron, and Rowan have gained widespread acceptance, Allen remains more firmly associated with male identity.
In the US naming tradition, using a traditionally male family surname or first name for a daughter has been a way to honor male relatives or claim a sense of strength. The name Allen has been used in this way occasionally throughout the 20th century.
Historical Record
Allen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 963 babies have been named Allen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Allen is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #9,723 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Allen was a top-100 boys name in the US from the 1900s through the 1970s
- The trend of giving daughters traditionally masculine names has grown significantly in the US since 2010
- In Scottish Gaelic, Ailean is a traditional male name meaning handsome, rock, or harmony
Allen in Other Languages
Irish
Ailin
Welsh
Alun
French
Alain
Italian
Alano
Spanish
Alan
Scottish Gaelic
Ailean
Popularity Over Time
#9,723
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Levee
Girl
"joined, attached"
#9,539
Cyrus
Girl
"far-sighted"
#9,564
Everlea
Girl
"Ever (always or eternal) plus Lea (meadow); eternal ..."
#9,557
Zelphia
Girl
"gift of God"
#9,721
Tiani
Girl
"fairy queen, princess (from Saint Tatiana tradition)"
#9,662
Compare Allen with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #9,723
- Total SSA Count
- 11
- Cultural Origins
- American British Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Al
Ally
Allie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Allen
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Allen fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Allen is also used as a boy name, ranked #574.
View Allen as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Allen →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Allen with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Allen
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Allen and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Allen sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Levee
Girl
Hebrew (via Levi) origin
"joined, attached"
#9,539 in US
Cyrus
Girl
Greek interpretation origin
"far-sighted"
#9,564 in US
Everlea
Girl
Modern English origin
"Ever (always or eternal) plus Lea (me..."
#9,557 in US
Zelphia
Girl
Hebrew origin
"gift of God"
#9,721 in US
Tiani
Girl
Latin/Etruscan Tatius origin
"fairy queen, princess (from Saint Tat..."
#9,662 in US
Carver
Girl
Old English origin
"skilled craftsperson, artisan"
#9,568 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Allen's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Allen
What does the name Allen mean?
"handsome, fair" (from Gaelic). "harmony, little rock" (from Celtic Breton). Allen is primarily a masculine Celtic name, from the Gaelic Aluinn meaning handsome or fair, or from the Breton place name Alaine. As a girl name, Allen is part of a long tradition of gender-crossing surnames used as given names for girls in the United States, a practice that gained popularity in the 20th century as parents sought names that felt strong and distinctive.
What is the origin of the name Allen?
Allen has Gaelic, Celtic Breton, American, British, and Irish origins. In Gaelic, it means "handsome, fair". In Celtic Breton, it means "harmony, little rock".
Is Allen a boy or girl name?
Allen is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #9723. As a boy name, it is ranked #574. Allen is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Allen?
Allen is pronounced AL-uhn.
How popular is the name Allen?
Allen is currently ranked #9723 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Allen?
Common nicknames for Allen include Ally and Allie.
What are good middle names for Allen?
Popular middle name pairings include Allen Rose, Allen Grace, Allen Marie, Allen Jean, Allen Louise, Allen Kate, and Allen Ann.
What are good sibling names for Allen?
Names that pair well with Allen as siblings include Morgan, Casey, Jordan, Riley, Cameron, Avery, and Quinn.
How many syllables does Allen have?
Allen has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Allen a common or rare name?
Allen is an uncommon name, ranked #9723 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Allen?
About the Name Allen
Allen is a girl name with American, British, and Irish origins . The name means "handsome, fair" in Gaelic .
Is Allen a boy or girl name? Allen is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #9,723 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #574. Allen is more commonly used as a boy name.
Allen is currently ranked #9,723 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Allen has 2 syllables and is pronounced AL-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Allen include Al, Ally, and Allie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Allen include Allegra, Allena . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Gaelic Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More girl names like Allen
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis