Langimage
English

Alan

|Al-an|

A2

/ˈælən/

Nomadic people

Etymology
Etymology Information

'Alan' as a given name originates from the Breton language, specifically the word 'Alan' or 'Alain,' where it was used as a personal name.

Historical Evolution

'Alan' was introduced to England by Breton followers of William the Conqueror and became a common given name in English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it was simply a personal name, and it has remained so in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a male given name, commonly used in English-speaking countries.

Alan is coming to the party tonight.

Noun 2

a member of an ancient nomadic people originally from the North Caucasus region.

The Alans migrated across Europe in the early centuries AD.

Last updated: 2025/08/05 08:05