The nameMilan

Milan is a boy's name of Slavic origin meaning "dear, gracious". It is popular in Central Europe, the Netherlands and France.

Meaning

Milan comes from the Slavic mil, "dear, gracious, beloved".

Origin

Slavic. It shares its spelling with the Italian city, whose name has a different, Latin, origin.

History

Milan Kundera, author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, made it famous. It is in the American top 240.

Famous people named Milan

Popularity of the name Milan

Milan in the United States

231stmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2023peak year (1,974 births)
26,373babies named Milan in the United States since 1880
09871,974 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Milan was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 9,207 births over the decade, 35% of all recorded babies named Milan. Its rise began around 1997, and it peaked in 2023. Half of all babies named Milan in the United States were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,569 births a year on average, against 1,066 in the five years before.

Milan in the United Kingdom

287thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2022peak year (294 births)
4,015babies named Milan in the United Kingdom since 1997
0147294 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Milan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,616 births over the decade, 40% of all recorded babies named Milan. Half of all babies named Milan in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 260 births a year on average, against 196 in the five years before.

Milan in France

101stmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures
2016peak year (955 births)
15,295babies named Milan in France since 1900
0478955 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Milan in Belgium

52ndmost popular boys' name in Belgium in 2025
2004peak year (514 births)
6,823babies named Milan in Belgium since 1995
0257514 1995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Milan in Switzerland

157thmost popular boys' name in Switzerland in 2025
2024peak year (74 births)
999babies named Milan in Switzerland since 2000
03774 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Milan in Austria

82ndmost popular boys' name in Austria in 2025
2024peak year (96 births)
939babies named Milan in Austria since 1984
04896 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Milan in Norway

142ndmost popular boys' name in Norway in 2025
2015peak year (45 births)
831babies named Milan in Norway since 1945
02345 1960198020002020
Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Milan

Names from the same generation as Milan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Milan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Milan with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Milan side by side with the name of your choice.

Milan in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Milan mean?

Milan comes from the Slavic mil, "dear, gracious, beloved".

What is the origin of the name Milan?

Slavic. It shares its spelling with the Italian city, whose name has a different, Latin, origin.

Is Milan a girl's or a boy's name?

Milan is a boy's name. In the United States, 35% of the babies named Milan are girls.

How popular is the name Milan?

In 2024, Milan was the 231st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,552 births.

What are the variants of the name Milan?

Variants and related names of Milan include Milana, Milhan, Mylan and Mylann.

What are good sibling names for Milan?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Elsie, Myla, Amira and Juliette for a sister, Rory, Muhammad, Leon and Ellis for a brother.

Who are famous people named Milan?

Milan Kundera, writer; Milan Škriniar, footballer; Milan Baroš, footballer.