Declan
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Full of goodness; man of prayer
Origin: Irish Gaelic — from Deaglán, of uncertain origin, possibly from the Latin decanus (dean) or from Celtic roots
Popularity: Ranked #139 in 2025 with 2,570 babies born.
History: Declan is an Irish name borne by St. Declan of Ardmore, one of Ireland's pre-Patrician saints who may have brought Christianity to Ireland before St. Patrick himself — making him one of the oldest saints in Irish tradition. The name was virtually unknown outside Ireland until the late 20th century. Musician Declan MacManus chose Elvis Costello as his stage name — but the name gained traction anyway, entering the U.S. top 200 in the 2000s and climbing steadily. It represents the modern taste for Irish names that feel authentic rather than fashionable.
Famous people named Declan: Declan Rice (soccer player), Elvis Costello — Declan MacManus
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Declan? About 1 in 1,287 babies born in 2025 were named Declan, or roughly 7.1 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Declan
What does the name Declan mean?
Declan means “Full of goodness; man of prayer” from Irish Gaelic — from Deaglán, of uncertain origin, possibly from the Latin decanus (dean) or from Celtic roots roots.
What is the origin of the name Declan?
Declan has Irish Gaelic — from Deaglán, of uncertain origin, possibly from the Latin decanus (dean) or from Celtic roots origin. The traditional meaning is “Full of goodness; man of prayer”.
How popular is Declan?
Declan ranked #139 in 2025 — given to 2,570 babies that year.
When was Declan most popular?
Declan peaked in 2019 with 3,971 babies registered that year.
Is Declan a boy or girl name?
Declan is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Declans in registered births are male.
Is the name Declan rising or falling in popularity?
Declan has risen 4251 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #4390 in 2020 to #139 in 2025.
How long has Declan been recorded?
Declan appears in birth records across 68 years — from 1951 through 2025.