The first name Callan
A unisex name from Irish meaning “descendant of cathalán”.
2 syllables Unisex Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Irish origin
Callan means “descendant of cathalán” in Irish.
Borrowed from Irish Ó Cathaláin (“descendant of Cathalán”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 56 boys were named Callan, making it the 650th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1998, with 89 births (#296).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Callan with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Callan at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 1,917 boys born in the United States were named Callan, the 190th most popular boys’ name that year.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Callan
3 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Callan McAuliffeActor, born 1995
- Callan FooteAmerican ice hockey player, born 1998
- Callan Chythlook-SifsofAmerican snowboarder, born 1989
More Irish unisex names
Questions
- What does the name Callan mean?
- Callan means “descendant of cathalán” in Irish.
- What is the origin of the name Callan?
- Borrowed from Irish Ó Cathaláin (“descendant of Cathalán”).
- How popular is the name Callan?
- In 2025, 56 boys born in England and Wales were named Callan, ranking 650th. Its peak was 1998, with 89 births.
- Is Callan a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 12,634 US babies named Callan since 1880, 12% were girls and 88% boys.
- When was Callan most popular?
- 2025 in the United States, when 1,917 babies were named Callan, its highest rank at 190th.
- Is Callan also a surname?
- Yes. Callan is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.