Alan

Alan is a longstanding name associated with Brittany, but its original meaning is uncertain. One proposed explanation is “little rock”; another connects it with the name of the Alans, an Iranian people. The familiar baby-name meanings “handsome” and “cheerful” should therefore not be treated as settled translations.

Breton use helped carry Alan into England, and it has established forms such as Allan, Allen, French Alain, and Welsh Alun. Al is a short everyday option. Mathematician Alan Turing and astronaut Alan Shepard are recognizable namesakes. For families choosing between Alan, Allan, and Allen, the differences are mainly in spelling and family tradition rather than three separate, securely known meanings.