Find out how popular the first name Galen has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Galen by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Galen is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 94% of people named Galen being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 38 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Galen.

The history of the first name Galen

The name Galen has its origins in ancient Greek, deriving from the word "galene" which means "calm" or "tranquil". It was a common name in ancient Greece, particularly among philosophers and scholars.

The most famous bearer of this name was Galen of Pergamon, a prominent Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher who lived in the 2nd century AD. He made significant contributions to the understanding of anatomy, physiology, and the theory of disease, and his writings were highly influential in the development of Western medicine for centuries.

Another notable historical figure with the name Galen was Galen of Cyzicus, a Greek grammarian and rhetorician who lived in the 2nd century BC. He was known for his work on the Homeric poems and his commentary on the writings of Aristotle.

In the Middle Ages, the name Galen was occasionally given to scholars and physicians in honor of the ancient Greek physician. One such example is Galen of Bergamo, an Italian physician and philosopher who lived in the 15th century.

During the Renaissance period, the name experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among humanist scholars who admired the works of ancient Greek philosophers and scientists. Galen of Amsterdam, a 16th-century Dutch physician and philosopher, was a prominent figure of this time.

In more recent history, the name Galen has been borne by several notable individuals, including Galen Strawson, a British philosopher born in 1952, and Galen Rowell, an American wilderness photographer and climber who lived from 1940 to 2002.

Overall, the name Galen has a rich history rooted in ancient Greek culture, closely associated with the pursuit of knowledge, medicine, and philosophy. Its enduring use throughout the centuries reflects the lasting influence of the ancient Greek physician Galen of Pergamon and the respect held for intellectual pursuits in various eras.

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 Galen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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