"handsome, fair"
Origin: Gaelic
Language: Irish
Allen
Pronunciation: [ AL-uhn ]
A classic Celtic name crossing gender boundaries
American
British
Irish
Classic
Strong
Vintage
Bold
Minimalist
Meaning & Origin
"harmony, little rock"
Origin: Celtic Breton
Language: French
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.
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
Famous People Named Allen
L
Lily Allen
Musician
1985
British singer-songwriter known for Smile and Hard Out Here, daughter of actor Keith Allen
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
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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
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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
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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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 →Compare Allen with...
Same Origin Names (American)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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 Al, 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.
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.