Allen is a masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "alun", which means "eagle". The name Allen has been popular throughout history and can be traced back to its earliest usage in the medieval period.
In the Middle Ages, Allen was often used as a surname that was passed down through generations of families. Over time, it began to be used more frequently as a given name for boys.
The name Allen is not associated with any particular religious or cultural significance, and it does not have any specific historical figures or events tied to it. However, there are many notable people throughout history who have borne the name Allen, including American politician George Allen Sr., British novelist C.S. Lewis, and American actor Steve Allen.
Today, Allen remains a popular choice for boys' names in English-speaking countries around the world. It is often seen as a strong, traditional name with a modern appeal. Despite its long history, Allen continues to be a timeless and classic option for parents seeking a meaningful and distinctive name for their sons.
The name Allen has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century. From 1880 to 2023, there have been a total of 270,769 babies named Allen born in the U.S.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of births with the name Allen fluctuated between 150 and 400 per year. However, starting around 1912, there was a significant increase in popularity for the name, with over 700 babies named Allen born that year alone.
The peak years for the name Allen were during World War II, when over 3,000 babies were given the name each year between 1942 and 1945. The highest number of births with the name Allen occurred in 1946, with a total of 4,294 newborns.
After the war, the popularity of the name Allen began to decline. Between 1950 and 1970, there were consistently around 4,000 babies named Allen born each year. However, by the late 1970s, the number of births with the name had dropped to below 2,000 per year.
In recent years, the name Allen has continued to decline in popularity, with fewer than 600 babies named Allen born in the U.S. each year between 2016 and 2023. Despite this decrease, Allen remains a classic and timeless name choice for parents who prefer traditional names with a strong and confident sound.