Phelan: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#13,402

among boys · ↓3,751 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Phelan

How common

1 in 341,615

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1996

26 babies

All-time total

649

#7,202 all-time among boys

First recorded

1949

in Social Security records

Phelan popularity over time

649 babies have been named Phelan since 1949, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

BoysGirls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	6	6	1	–	#3,612
1950s	–	5	5	1	-17%	#4,331
1960s	–	5	5	1	0%	#4,475
1970s	–	60	60	6	+1100%	#3,421
1980s	5	80	85	9	+42%	#3,568
1990s	31	163	194	19	+128%	#2,891
2000s	27	115	142	14	-27%	#5,375
2010s	5	95	100	10	-30%	#6,543
2020s (to 2025)	–	52	52	9	-13%	#6,585

The story of Phelan

Phelan is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #13,402 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1949, 649 American babies have been named Phelan, about 90% boys and 10% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1996, when 26 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1990s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Phelan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Phelan?

The median living Phelan is about 27 years old; half are between 16 and 35. An estimated 600 people named Phelan are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Phelan year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	5	#13,402
2024	–	–	8	#9,651
2023	–	–	8	#9,534
2022	–	–	8	#9,620
2021	–	–	13	#6,585
2020	–	–	10	#7,922
2019	–	–	6	#11,779
2018	–	–	9	#8,652
2017	5	#17,829	13	#6,578
2016	–	–	6	#11,781
2015	–	–	11	#7,408
2014	–	–	13	#6,543
2013	–	–	11	#7,420
2012	–	–	8	#9,490
2011	–	–	11	#7,375
2010	–	–	7	#10,469
2009	–	–	9	#8,820
2008	5	#19,750	10	#8,142
2007	–	–	17	#5,375
2006	–	–	10	#7,860
2005	–	–	12	#6,517
2004	5	#18,126	12	#6,417
2003	5	#17,726	10	#7,104
2002	7	#13,280	12	#5,981
2001	–	–	11	#6,333
2000	5	#16,925	12	#5,822
1995	5	#15,121	20	#3,404
1990	–	–	16	#3,732
1985	–	–	6	#6,318
1980	–	–	7	#5,358
1975	–	–	7	#4,660
1970	–	–	9	#3,457
1965	–	–	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Phelan, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Phelan?

The median living Phelan is about 27 years old. Half of all living Phelans are between 16 and 35 years old.

How many people named Phelan are alive today?

An estimated 600 people named Phelan are alive in the United States, based on 649 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Phelan mean?

Reduced Anglicized form of Irish Ó Faoláin (“descendant of Faolán”), a hypocoristic form of faol (“wolf”).

How popular is the name Phelan in 2025?

Phelan ranked #13,402 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Phelan?

649 babies have been named Phelan in the United States since 1949, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Phelan most popular?

Phelan peaked in 1996, when 26 newborns received the name.

Is Phelan a boy or girl name?

Phelan is used for both: about 10% of babies named Phelan have been girls and 90% boys.

Is the name Phelan rising or falling?

Phelan is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Phelan

Names that sound and feel close to Phelan: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Phelan with similar names → More names starting with P →