Find out how popular the first name Kellan has been for the last 44 years (from 1980 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kellan by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Kellan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 95% of people named Kellan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 256 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kellan.

The history of the first name Kellan

The name Kellan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "caillen," meaning "slender" or "lean." It is believed to have originated in the medieval period, around the 12th or 13th century, when Irish names were becoming more popular and widespread.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kellan can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history written by monks in the 15th century. The name appears in reference to a man named Kellan O'Daly, who lived in the late 12th century and was a member of an influential Irish family.

In the 16th century, the name Kellan was also mentioned in the Book of Leinster, an important collection of Irish literature and historical records. This suggests that the name had gained some popularity and recognition during this period, particularly among Irish families and clans.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Kellan. One of the most famous was Kellan O'Doherty, an Irish chieftain and military leader who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was known for his resistance against English rule in Ireland and his leadership during the Nine Years' War (1594-1603).

Another historical figure with the name Kellan was Kellan O'Donnell, who lived in the 17th century and was a member of the powerful O'Donnell clan of Donegal, Ireland. He played a significant role in the Irish Confederate Wars and fought against the English forces of Oliver Cromwell.

In the 18th century, Kellan O'Reilly was a renowned Irish harpist and composer. He was born in 1754 and was known for his skill in traditional Irish music, contributing to the preservation of the country's cultural heritage.

Moving to the 19th century, Kellan O'Shea was an Irish immigrant to the United States who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Born in 1837, he fought in several major battles and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery.

In the 20th century, Kellan Lutz, an American actor and model born in 1985, gained recognition for his roles in films such as the "Twilight" saga and "Immortals." His name, though not of traditional Irish origin, has helped to popularize the name Kellan in modern times.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kellan, 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!