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 a popular choice for parents in the United States since the late 19th century. According to the statistics provided, there were 184 babies named Allen in 1880, which was the first year that this data was recorded.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Allen fluctuated, with some years seeing more than 300 births and others fewer than 200. However, it is clear that Allen was a popular name during this time period.
In the mid-20th century, the popularity of the name Allen began to decline. While there were still several thousand babies named Allen each year in the 1950s and 1960s, by the late 1970s and early 1980s, this number had dropped significantly.
Despite this decline in popularity, Allen remained a relatively common name throughout the latter part of the 20th century. However, in recent years, the number of babies named Allen has continued to decrease, with only 568 babies given this name in 2023 according to the most recent data available.
Overall, while the name Allen has seen ups and downs in popularity over the past century and a half, it remains a classic choice for parents looking for a strong, traditional name for their son.