Harlan
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Harlan
Pleasant but uninspired surname name somewhat connected to writers Ellison and Coben. After three decades off the US Top 1000, it reentered in 2013, maybe because it's an unusual example of the trendy class of two-syllable n-ending boys’ names. Kevin Harlan is an NFL, NBA, and college basketball announcer for TV and radio.
Harlan for girls#4015 US
Harlan as a feminine name represents an interesting gender crossover, as it traditionally began as a masculine name of English origin meaning 'rocky land' or 'army land.' Derived from Old English elements, the name has historic connections to places in England. While predominantly used for boys throughout its history, Harlan has recently joined the trend of surnames and traditionally male names being adopted for girls. This usage remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality. The name carries connotations of strength and resilience, perhaps influenced by its rugged meaning. For girls, Harlan offers a modern, unique option with a strong sound and the trendy -an ending found in popular feminine names like Morgan and Jordan.
Pronounced HAR-lun.
As of October 2026, Harlan ranked #617 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #253 in 1924, Nameberry popularity #445.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #942 | 224 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #822 | 275 | #4,335 | 33 |
| 2016 | #829 | 274 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #788 | 297 | #4,246 | 34 |
| 2018 | #744 | 319 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #818 | 278 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #692 | 368 | #4,385 | 31 |
| 2021 | #637 | 433 | #3,634 | 42 |
| 2022 | #726 | 357 | #3,789 | 40 |
| 2023 | #652 | 418 | #3,239 | 50 |
| 2024 | #666 | 411 | #3,522 | 44 |
| 2025 | #617 | 454 | #4,015 | 36 |
World rankings
Harlan for boys
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Harlan on lists
Famous Harlans
- Harlan Fiske StoneBoy
12th Chief Justice of the United States
- Harlan CobenBoy
American novelist
- Harlan Jay EllisonBoy
American speculative fiction novelist
- Harlan LattimoreBoy
American singer
- Harlan BriggsBoy
American actor
- Harlan Perry HowardBoy
American singer,songwriter
- Harlan HubbardBoy
American painter
- Harlan DaumannBoy
Canadian singer,songwriter; son of singer John Mann
- Harlan Roy Griffin (b. 2014)Boy
son of actress Grey DeLisle and Jared Griffin
- Harlan Harris (b. 2016)Boy
son of New Zealand rugby footballer Tohu Harris
- Harlan Veil Michelina PhillipsBoy
daughter of Instagramer @whatdreamsmaybecome
Harlan in pop culture
- Harlan Fairfax CarruthersBoy
from the movie "Down in the Valley"
- Harlan WhitfordBoy
from the movie "Safe House"
- Harlan WadeBoy
from the game "F.E.A.R."
- Harlan JeetersBoy
character from TV series "American Gothic"
- Harlan CarsonBoy
character from "The Walking Dead" (both comic and TV show)
- Earl HarlanBoy
character from the podcast "Welcome to Night Vale"
- Harlan PuckettBoy
Character in film "Thelma and Louise"
- Harlan CountyBoy
Kentucky, USA, home of many country musicians
- Harlan EstateBoy
Napa Valley cult wine producer
- Harlan OgilvyBoy
character in 2005 film "War of the Worlds"