The nameDeclan
Declan is the anglicised form of the Irish Deaglán, the name of an early Irish saint.
- Boy's name
- Irish
Meaning
Declan comes from the Irish Deaglán, of uncertain meaning, sometimes explained as "full of goodness".
Origin
Irish. Saint Declan of Ardmore is said to have brought Christianity to the area of Waterford before Saint Patrick.
History
In England and Wales Declan reached 66th place in 2000. In the United States it entered the top 100 in 2019 at 95th place.
Did you know?
- Declan Rice's move from West Ham to Arsenal in 2023 was the most expensive transfer ever for an English player.
Famous people named Declan
- Declan Rice, footballer
- Declan McKenna, singer
- Declan Donnelly, television presenter
Popularity of the name Declan
Declan in the United States
Declan was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 31,333 births over the decade, 56% of all recorded babies named Declan. Its rise began around 2001, and it peaked in 2019. Half of all babies named Declan in the United States were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 3,262 births a year.
Declan in the United Kingdom
Declan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 7,306 births over the decade, 51% of all recorded babies named Declan. Half of all babies named Declan in the United Kingdom were born before 2004. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 130 births a year on average, against 167 in the five years before.
Declan in Ireland
Sibling names for Declan
Names from the same generation as Declan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Declan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Declan with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Declan side by side with the name of your choice.
Declan in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Declan mean?
Declan comes from the Irish Deaglán, of uncertain meaning, sometimes explained as "full of goodness".
What is the origin of the name Declan?
Irish. Saint Declan of Ardmore is said to have brought Christianity to the area of Waterford before Saint Patrick.
Is Declan a girl's or a boy's name?
Declan is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Declan?
In 2024, Declan was the 131st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 2,758 births.
What are good sibling names for Declan?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Norah, Quinn, Cora and Nora for a sister, Finn, Ronan, Easton and Sawyer for a brother.
Who are famous people named Declan?
Declan Rice, footballer; Declan McKenna, singer; Declan Donnelly, television presenter.