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BoyOrigin debated2 syllables

Declan

Meaning: not confirmed (origin debated)

About the name Declan

The origin of Declan is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Irish roots, with the meaning “Full of goodness”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.

Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Declan we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.

It has a modern feel. In 2025, Declan ranked #139 for boys in the US, with 2,570 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2019. Since 2000, 99% of US babies named Declan were boys.

US rank 2025
#139
In 2015
#112
Babies in 2025
2,570

Popularity of Declan, 1940–2025

09932.0k3.0k4.0k19401960198020002020
Boys GirlsBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Nicknames for Declan

  • Dec

Names similar to Declan

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.