Galen
From Middle English Galen, from Latin Galēnus, from Ancient Greek Γαληνός (Galēnós), from γαλήνη (galḗnē, “calm, tranquillity”).
Every Galen since 1889 — 17,060 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Galen
Galen is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,442 in 2025 with 23 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1889, 17,060 American babies have been named Galen. Its peak came in 1949, when 441 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Galen stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Galen 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 | — | — | 23 | #4,442 |
| 2024 | — | — | 47 | #2,764 |
| 2023 | — | — | 38 | #3,194 |
| 2022 | — | — | 51 | #2,627 |
| 2021 | — | — | 45 | #2,789 |
| 2020 | — | — | 45 | #2,738 |
| 2019 | — | — | 49 | #2,634 |
| 2018 | — | — | 57 | #2,329 |
| 2017 | — | — | 55 | #2,358 |
| 2016 | — | — | 32 | #3,467 |
| 2015 | — | — | 47 | #2,619 |
| 2014 | — | — | 62 | #2,184 |
| 2013 | — | — | 50 | #2,475 |
| 2012 | — | — | 55 | #2,339 |
| 2011 | — | — | 31 | #3,460 |
| 2010 | — | — | 59 | #2,218 |
| 2009 | — | — | 51 | #2,496 |
| 2008 | — | — | 57 | #2,302 |
| 2007 | — | — | 46 | #2,661 |
| 2006 | — | — | 66 | #2,021 |
| 2005 | 6 | #15,129 | 80 | #1,679 |
| 2004 | — | — | 85 | #1,560 |
| 2003 | 7 | #12,870 | 93 | #1,422 |
| 2002 | 10 | #9,747 | 103 | #1,303 |
| 2001 | 6 | #14,119 | 94 | #1,361 |
| 2000 | — | — | 116 | #1,179 |
| 1995 | 16 | #5,775 | 152 | #888 |
| 1990 | 19 | #4,925 | 176 | #766 |
| 1985 | 12 | #5,772 | 159 | #699 |
| 1980 | 9 | #6,968 | 157 | #694 |
| 1975 | 8 | #6,702 | 183 | #596 |
| 1970 | 7 | #6,561 | 212 | #557 |
| 1965 | 9 | #4,606 | 164 | #594 |
| 1960 | — | — | 220 | #533 |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,152 | 293 | #428 |
| 1950 | 6 | #4,925 | 326 | #374 |
| 1945 | 7 | #3,786 | 198 | #424 |
| 1940 | — | — | 170 | #444 |
| 1935 | — | — | 140 | #480 |
| 1930 | — | — | 104 | #595 |
| 1925 | — | — | 110 | #601 |
| 1920 | — | — | 81 | #723 |
| 1915 | — | — | 62 | #763 |
| 1910 | — | — | 12 | #949 |
| 1905 | — | — | 6 | #1,149 |
| 1900 | — | — | 7 | #1,089 |
| 1895 | — | — | 8 | #823 |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Galen
- Galen Physician · 129–215
- Galen Rupp Athlete · b. 1986
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Galen mean?
From Middle English Galen, from Latin Galēnus, from Ancient Greek Γαληνός (Galēnós), from γαλήνη (galḗnē, “calm, tranquillity”).
How popular is the name Galen in 2025?
Galen ranked #4,442 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 23 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Galen?
17,060 babies have been named Galen in the United States since 1889, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Galen most popular?
Galen peaked in 1949, when 441 newborns received the name.
Is Galen a boy or girl name?
Galen is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 97% of babies with the name.
Is the name Galen rising or falling?
Galen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Galen?
Well-known people named Galen include Galen (physician), Galen Rupp (athlete).