Alan is a name of Irish and Scottish origin, meaning "harmony" or "unity". It is derived from the ancient Gaelic name Ailéan, which was composed of two elements: ail, meaning "harmonious", and éan, meaning "bird". The name Alann is a variation of Alan, with an additional 'n' at the end.
The name Alan has been used for centuries in Ireland and Scotland. It was particularly popular among the Scottish royal family during the Middle Ages. King Alexander III of Scotland, who ruled from 1249 to 1286, had two sons named Alexander and Eric. His eldest son, however, was known as Alann, which was a variant form of his name Alexander.
The name Alan also has a literary connection through the character Sir Alan-a-Dale in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Sir Alan-a-Dale is a minstrel who tells the tale of "The Nun's Priest's Tale" in the collection of stories. The name Alann does not appear in literature as frequently, but it shares the same origins and meanings as Alan.
In modern times, the name Alann has been used less frequently than its variant Alan, but it remains a distinctive and unique name option for parents looking for a name with Irish or Scottish roots. It is also a unisex name, although it is more commonly associated with males.
Overall, the name Alann is a historic and meaningful name with ancient Gaelic origins, sharing many of the same attributes as its more popular variant Alan. Its unique spelling sets it apart from other names of similar origin, making it a standout choice for parents seeking a distinctive moniker for their child.
The name Alann appears to have seen its peak popularity between 2001 and 2003 with 10 and 12 births respectively. Since then, the number of annual births has fluctuated but generally remained under 10 until a slight resurgence in recent years with 9 births in both 2020 and 2022. Overall, there have been a total of 108 recorded births with this name since 1993.