Declan: Baby Name of the DayDeclanBNoDpintDeclan is an Irish heritage choice leaping up the popularity charts throughout the English-speaking world.

Thanks to Cat for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

Declan: Saint

Before Saint Patrick arrived in Ireland, the future saint Declan established a monastery at Ardmore. The ruins are still a destination for pilgrims, all these centuries later.

Unlike the Roman-born Patrick, Declan was Irish by birth, born in Munster. Some reports make him a prince of the Déisi, an ancient Gaelic people who ruled the area. Like several of his countrymen, he traveled to Rome for an education, and was also ordained there. If it’s true, he’s one of several religious leaders who brought Christianity to Ireland before Saint Patrick.

The name’s meaning is lost, though it’s often given as “man of prayer.” Other accounts link it to the word dag – good – and lan – full, which gives the meaning “full of goodness.” The latter is reported by Baby Names of Ireland.

Declan: Irish Heritage Choice

Head to the UK, and Declan has always been reasonably familiar. As recently as 2004, the name still ranked in the British Top 100.

In the US, the name debuted in the Top 1000 in 1998, just as Brian, Ryan, and even Brendan were entering dad name territory, and a few years before we reached peak Aiden.

The likely reason 1998 was Declan’s year? In 1997, Richard Gere played a former Irish Republican Army sniper by the name in The Jackal. Gere’s character reluctantly agreed to help the FBI and Russian intelligence hunt down an assassin.

It’s not just that Declan is Irish, though American parents have been embracing those names for decades. It also helps that the name is two syllables, ending in n, just like Mason, Logan, Ethan, Dylan, and a long list of other favorites with all sorts of origins.

By 2011, the name was in the US Top 200. As of 2014, it was poised just outside the current Top 100.

Declan: Famous Bearers

The Jackal might have introduced Declan to an American audience, but it wasn’t the first use of the name.

It’s the given name of London-born musician Elvis Costello, already well known in the US by the late 1990s.

It’s also the full name of BBC television presenter Dec Donnelly, best known as half of Ant and Dec. The duo has hosted everything from children’s television to reality competitions like Britain’s Got Talent.

Television has given us characters by the name on Kyle XY, Degrassi, Mysterious Ways, and, most notably, Revenge. The Revenge character is the teenaged half-brother of bar owner Jack, so the name is actually a plausible choice.

Cyndi Lauper used the spelling Declyn for her son, born in 1997. In 2014, Fall Out Boy lead singer Patrick Stump gave the name to his firstborn with wife Elisa Yao.

Declan: Future Top 100 Name?

When I first published this post in March 2009, I wrote, “be aware that this name could follow other Irish favorites up the charts and easily land in the Top 200 – or higher.”

Now, with the name at #122 as of 2014, it seems likely that Declan is destined for the Top 100.

That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker. It’s still far less common than many an Irish heritage option. If you’re looking for a familiar, but not very common name for a son, Declan remains one to consider.

What do you think of Declan? Is this name headed for the US Top 100?

This post was originally published on March 10, 2009. It was substantially revised and re-posted on March 28, 2016.

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

You May Also Like:

What do you think?

17 Comments

  1. I really liked Declan when we were choosing my son’s name a few years ago, but it’s fast rise in popularity wasn’t my favorite. We went with Devlin instead (Dev for nickname), which sounded similar but felt more unique for our corner of the world. We love it!

  2. Leaving my obvious bias out of the equation, I really like the name Declan. That said, I am from Australia and everyone I’ve met has had some experience with the name. The English spelling has meant I’ve never really had to correct anyone. And yes Kat, it’s pronouced ‘DECK-lan’. I also hope I run into you SophieGray and show you that we aren’t all bad 😛

  3. My 8 year old boy is Declan… we’re in California. We have run into two or three others with the name, but it is typically new to most folks. I’m half Irish and my husband is 1/3. It’s a great name. Sturdy but Romantic. And Different! My boy has three Matthews in his class and there are so many Tylers and Jacobs. All great names, but just too over used!