"lion"
Aslan
Pronunciation: [ uhsl-UHN ]
The lion who leapt from Narnia into nurseries
Meaning & Origin
"lion, brave one"
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
Famous People Named Aslan
Aslan Karatsev
Athlete
1993
Russian professional tennis player who made a dramatic run to the Australian Open semifinals in 2021
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Aslan is also used as a girl name, ranked #52802.
View Aslan as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Aslan
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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.