Alan

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Alan (Alain, Allan, Alun, Alyn, Allen, Ailean, Ailín) is a male given name. Its origin is uncertain. It may ultimately derived from the Alanus "of the tribe of the Alans", or from Aelius, a given name ultimately from Helios "Sun", or from a Breton word for "rock".

It was introduced to England by Bretons before and after the Norman Conquest of England, having been popularized in their province as the misspelled name of Allorus (feast date 27 Dec.), bishop of Quimper. Having a similar name and feast date only a month apart, Allorus was thus conflated with Saint Alan (feast date 25 Nov.) of Lavaur Cathedral in Gascony near Toulose, whose name was a Vulgar Latin spelling of Aelianus, being recorded variously Alen or Elan.

Aelianus is a developed form of Aelius, itself a Roman borrowing of the Greek Helios. There is a Church of Saint Elian in Syria. The name is interpreted as meaning either "little rock" or "handsome" in Breton, and "harmony" in some Celtic languages.

In the modern world, the name Alan was particularly popular among American parents in the early to mid-20th century, and is very widely used in Ireland and Britain. Allen is an English spelling of the name, Allan a Scottish English spelling, Ailean a Scottish Gaelic spelling and Ailín the Irish version. The Welsh spelling Alun is rarely used outside of Wales, and the name is occasionally seen spelled Alyn, Welsh pronunciation is different (pronounced Alin). The name is also used as a surname, usually spelled Allen or Ó hAilín in Irish. Related surnames include Alanson, Allanshaw, and Allenby.

Derivates of the name Alan or Alain are common also as place names (e.g. Allaines and Allainville) in northern France, from whence the Norman invaders of England came, bringing this name with them. Alan Rufus and Alan FitzFlaad were for example compatriots of William the Conqueror. A tribe of Alans had settled in that area during the fall of Rome. Originally, they came from the Caucasus area and are related to the Ossetians, where Alan is a common forename to this day.

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