Find out how popular the first name Jalen has been for the last 48 years (from 1976 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jalen by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Jalen is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Jalen being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 719 male babies and 9 female babies born with the name Jalen.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 9 baby girls were named Jalen in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Jalen

The name Jalen is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with its roots possibly stemming from the word "jalil," meaning "great" or "exalted." This name gained popularity in the Middle East and North Africa regions during the medieval period, particularly among Arabic-speaking communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jalen can be found in historical documents from the 10th century, where it was mentioned as the name of a prominent scholar and philosopher from Andalusia, Spain. This scholar, known as Jalen Ibn Hazm, was born in 994 AD and made significant contributions to the fields of theology, history, and literature.

In the 12th century, the name Jalen was also associated with a renowned poet and mystic from Persia, known as Jalen al-Din Rumi. Born in 1207 AD in present-day Afghanistan, Rumi's spiritual teachings and poetic works have had a lasting impact on Islamic literature and Sufism.

As the Islamic empires expanded across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe, the name Jalen continued to be used among various Muslim communities. In the 15th century, a notable figure named Jalen al-Suyuti, an Egyptian scholar and writer, gained recognition for his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and Quranic exegesis.

Another prominent individual bearing the name Jalen was Jalen al-Wazir, a 17th-century Ottoman statesman and grand vizier who served under Sultan Mehmed IV. He played a significant role in the administration and governance of the Ottoman Empire during his tenure.

While the name Jalen has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic cultures, it has also been adopted and used in various parts of the world. For example, in the late 19th century, there was a notable figure named Jalen Tanner, an American scientist and inventor who made contributions to the field of chemistry and held several patents for his inventions.

It's important to note that these historical references and examples are not an exhaustive list, and there may be other notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Jalen. The name's rich cultural heritage and diverse geographic spread have contributed to its enduring popularity across different regions and communities.

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

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

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