Declan

Declan is the English form of the Irish Deaglán. Its full meaning is uncertain, although a connection with an Old Irish element meaning “good” has been proposed. The familiar explanations “man of prayer” and “full of goodness” are best treated as interpretations, rather than as settled translations.

Saint Declan of Ardmore gives the name a longstanding place in Irish religious history. Its modern bearers include musician Elvis Costello, whose birth name is Declan, and presenter Declan Donnelly, known as Dec. That short form offers an informal option without changing the full name. Declan is pronounced DEK-lun in English; Deaglán retains the Irish spelling, while Declyn is a modern alternative.