Many will associate this name with Galen of Pergamon, the second-century physician considered to be the founding father of medicine. A more recent reference is Star Wars character Galen Erso. The name still projects a gentle, scholarly image, while sharing sounds with more popular names like Aiden and Nathan. Bonus: it's also an anagram of Angel.

Commonly used in Russia, has an Old World Slavic feel. The original Galen can be used for girls as well as boys.

The Hawaiian variant Iakona modernizes Biblical favorite Jason.