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 has seen a fluctuating trend in its popularity over the past few decades in the United States. In the year 1993, there were only six babies named Alann, but by 2001, this number had almost doubled to ten births.
However, after reaching a peak of twelve births in 2003, the popularity of the name started to decline again, with five births each in both 2004 and 2005. It seemed that Alann was no longer as favored a name choice among parents during this period.
Interestingly, there was a brief resurgence in the popularity of the name starting from 2010 onwards. That year saw nine babies named Alann, and this number remained consistent until 2017 when it increased to ten births again. Since then, the popularity of the name has stabilized, with seven births each in 2018 and 2020, followed by a slight increase to nine births in 2022.
Overall, looking at the statistics from 1993 to 2023, there have been a total of one hundred and eight babies named Alann born in the United States. Despite its ups and downs in popularity over the years, it is clear that the name Alann has maintained some level of presence in American culture throughout this time period.
This data can be useful for parents looking for a unique yet established name for their child, as well as for researchers interested in studying trends in baby naming over time.