Phelan
Boy name · Celtic · Irish · Irish surname
Meaningwolf · Irish
- US rank
- #12,008
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #2,838 in 1996
5 babies were named Phelan in the US in 2025. It has dropped 4,506 places in five years.
Found on lists
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US births per million boys, 1949–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Phelan you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 344,828 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Phelan, 5 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Phelan would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryPhelan first shows up in US birth records in 1949, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 76 years since.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1996, when it ranked #2,838. Today it's #12,008, so it could be due a comeback.
- Then vs nowPhelan was 2.1× more common in 2000 than it is today. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 163,934 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 344,828.
- TrendPhelan has slipped 4,506 places over the last five years and now sits at #12,008. Good news if you want a familiar name that fewer kids will share.
- MeaningIn Irish, Phelan means “wolf”. Our records link it to Celtic, Irish and Irish surname roots.
About the name Phelan
Phelan is a boy name of Celtic, Irish and Irish surname origin meaning “wolf”. It has 6 letters and 2 syllables, starting with P and ending in “-lan”. US birth records list Phelan for boys from 1949 to 2025, in 55 of those 77 years. Its best year was 1996, when it ranked #2,838 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #12,008, with 5 babies.
Origin:Celtic namesIrish namesIrish surname names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 3.4 | 294,118 boys |
| 1950s | 0.2 | 4,166,667 boys |
| 1960s | 0.3 | 4,000,000 boys |
| 1970s | 3.7 | 273,224 boys |
| 1980s | 4.3 | 233,100 boys |
| 1990s | 8.4 | 118,906 boys |
| 2000s | 5.8 | 173,611 boys |
| 2010s | 5.0 | 198,413 boys |
| 2020s | 5.0 | 200,000 boys |
More Celtic boy names
- Unisex name: Owen · well-born
- Unisex name: Logan · little hollow
- Unisex name: Rowan · little red-haired one
- Unisex name: Nolan · descendant of Nuallán
- Unisex name: Cameron · crooked nose
- Boy name: Ian · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Gael · a Gael
- Boy name: Arthur · possibly bear
Questions about the name Phelan
What does the name Phelan mean?
Phelan means “wolf” in Irish.
What is the origin of the name Phelan?
Phelan has Celtic, Irish, Irish surname roots in our records. Other Celtic names include Owen, Logan, Rowan.
Is Phelan a boy or girl name?
Phelan is a boy name.
How popular is the name Phelan?
Phelan ranked #12,008 for US boys in 2025, given to 5 babies. Its best year was 1996 (#2,838).