Alan is a Breton name of uncertain origin that is usually explained as "little rock" or "handsome"; Breton companions of William the Conqueror brought it to England in 1066. Computer pioneer Alan Turing and astronaut Alan Shepard are among its best-known bearers. Alan ranked number 161 in the United States in 2000, peaked at number 122 in 2006 and has stayed inside the top 200 for the past decade, standing at number 191 in 2025; it is especially popular with Hispanic families.