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Aslan

Pronunciation: [ uhsl-UHN ]

Boy Name #1,049 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The lion who leapt from Narnia into nurseries

Turkish Central Asian British
Strong Literary Bold Royal Unique

Meaning & Origin

"lion"
Origin: Turkic
Language: Turkish
"lion, brave one"
Origin: Mongolian
Language: Mongolian

The Story of Aslan

Aslan is the Turkish and Mongolian word for lion, rooted in ancient Turkic languages spoken across Central Asia. The name has been used across the Islamic world for centuries as a symbol of strength and courage. It leapt into Western consciousness through C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, where Aslan the great lion represents divine power and sacrifice.

Aslan gained significant traction in English-speaking countries following the 2005 film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Parents drawn to literary names with deep meaning embraced it as an alternative to more common lion-inspired names.

In Turkic cultures, Aslan (also spelled Arslan) has been a prestigious royal name for over a millennium. Several medieval Seljuk sultans bore the name. In Western culture it is almost exclusively associated with Lewis's Narnia, giving it a dual identity.

Fun Facts

  • Aslan is the everyday Turkish word for lion, so Turkish children grow up hearing this as a common vocabulary word
  • Several medieval Seljuk rulers bore the name Arslan, a variant spelling meaning the same thing
  • C.S. Lewis specifically chose a Turkish word for lion to give Narnia an exotic, ancient feel

Aslan in Other Languages

Arabic أرسلان
Korean 아슬란
Russian Аслан
Turkish Aslan
Japanese アスラン

Famous People Named Aslan

A

Aslan Karatsev

Athlete

1993

Russian professional tennis player who made a dramatic run to the Australian Open semifinals in 2021

A

Aslan Fictional

Other

The great lion and central figure of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, representing divine power, wisdom, and sacrifice

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#1,049
Total SSA Count
210
Cultural Origins
Turkish Central Asian British
Pronunciation
Moderate
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Common Nicknames

Ace Az

Pairs Well With

Aslan James Aslan Reid Aslan Cole Aslan River Aslan Fox Aslan Gray Aslan Rhys

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Aslan is also used as a girl name, ranked #52802.

View Aslan as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Aslan

What does the name Aslan mean?
"lion" (from Turkic). "lion, brave one" (from Mongolian). Aslan is the Turkish and Mongolian word for lion, rooted in ancient Turkic languages spoken across Central Asia. The name has been used across the Islamic world for centuries as a symbol of strength and courage. It leapt into Western consciousness through C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, where Aslan the great lion represents divine power and sacrifice.
What is the origin of the name Aslan?
Aslan has Turkic, Mongolian, Turkish, Central Asian, and British origins. In Turkic, it means "lion". In Mongolian, it means "lion, brave one".
Is Aslan a boy or girl name?
Aslan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1049. As a girl name, it is ranked #52802. Aslan is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Aslan?
Aslan is pronounced uhsl-UHN.
How popular is the name Aslan?
Aslan is currently ranked #1049 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Aslan?
Common nicknames for Aslan include Ace and Az.
What are good middle names for Aslan?
Popular middle name pairings include Aslan James, Aslan Reid, Aslan Cole, Aslan River, Aslan Fox, Aslan Gray, and Aslan Rhys.
What are good sibling names for Aslan?
Names that pair well with Aslan as siblings include Edmund, Lucy, Caspian, Rowan, Orion, Freya, and Lyra.
How many syllables does Aslan have?
Aslan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Aslan a common or rare name?
Aslan is an uncommon name, ranked #1049 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Aslan

Aslan is a boy name with Turkish, Central Asian, and British origins . The name means "lion" in Turkic .

Is Aslan a boy or girl name? Aslan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,049 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #52,802. Aslan is more commonly used as a boy name.

Aslan is currently ranked #1,049 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Aslan has 2 syllables and is pronounced uhsl-UHN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Aslan include Ace and Az. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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