Find out how popular the first name Erlan has been for the last 17 years (from 2008 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Erlan by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Erlan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Erlan.

The history of the first name Erlan

The name Erlan is believed to have originated from the Turkic languages, spoken by various ethnic groups in Central Asia. Its roots can be traced back to the 8th or 9th century AD, during the rise of the nomadic Turkic empires in the region.

One possible derivation of the name Erlan is from the Turkic word "erlan," which means "brave" or "courageous." This suggests that the name was initially given to individuals who displayed qualities of bravery or strength, perhaps in battle or during times of conflict.

Another possible origin of the name Erlan is from the combination of two Turkic words, "er" meaning "man" or "warrior," and "lan" meaning "wolf." This could indicate that the name was initially used to honor individuals who were seen as fierce and formidable, like the wolf, a revered animal in many Turkic cultures.

While the name Erlan does not appear to have been extensively documented in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been recorded in various historical records and chronicles from Central Asia, particularly those related to the Turkic empires and their rulers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Erlan can be found in the 12th century, when a Turkic ruler named Erlan Khagan led a powerful empire in Central Asia. Another notable figure from history was Erlan Batyr, a legendary Kazakh warrior and hero who lived in the 18th century and was known for his bravery in battles against invading forces.

In more recent times, the name Erlan has been carried by several notable individuals, including:

1. Erlan Idrissov (born 1959), a Kazakh diplomat and former Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan.
2. Erlan Akhmetov (born 1974), a Kazakh boxer who won a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
3. Erlan Sagadiyev (born 1979), a Kazakh businessman and former Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan.
4. Erlan Abdykalykov (born 1966), a Kyrgyz politician and former Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan.
5. Erlan Nurgaliev (born 1962), a Kazakh military officer and former Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan.

While the name Erlan may have its roots in ancient Turkic cultures, it has continued to be used across various regions and ethnic groups in Central Asia, carrying with it a sense of bravery, strength, and warrior-like qualities.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Erlan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Erlan, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!