Names / Allen
Is Allen a first name or a last name?
Allen is both: a family name in some places and a given name in others. It is mostly a family name in the United Kingdom.
How to address someone called Allen
- United States. Allen is used both ways: about 482,607 people had it as a surname in the 2010 census, and 166,375 babies born between 1950 and 2017 were given it as a first name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- United Kingdom. Allen is a family name, usually written last. Write Dear Mr. Allen or Dear Ms. Allen.
- Canada. Allen is used both ways: 60% of people from Canada with this name in our data carry it as a family name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- Australia. Allen is used both ways: 73% of people from Australia with this name in our data carry it as a family name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
Not sure which part of a full name is which? Check the full name with the country where the person is based.
Allen by country
People recorded in Wikidata who carry Allen as a family name or as a given name, by country of citizenship (3,391 in total).
| Country | As family name | As given name | Family name share |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,375 | 1,019 | 57% |
| United Kingdom | 374 | 67 | 85% |
| Canada | 112 | 75 | 60% |
| Australia | 101 | 38 | 73% |
| New Zealand | 56 | 24 | 70% |
| Ireland | 25 | 2 | 93% |
| Jamaica | 11 | 0 | 100% |
| Sweden | 4 | 3 | 57% |
| Finland | 5 | 1 | 83% |
| Nigeria | 3 | 2 | 60% |
Wikidata covers notable people, so counts show how the name is used, not how many people carry it.
Allen in the United States
- As a surname: about 482,607 people in the 2010 census, rank 33 among US surnames.
- As a first name: 166,375 babies born between 1950 and 2017, 1% of them girls.
Allen as a given name: men or women?
About 1% of people with Allen as a given name in Wikidata are women, and 1% of US babies given the name. This describes the name, not any one person: a title is usually a safe guess, but the full name without a title is always polite.
Related names
James · Paul · Thomas · George · Henry · Albert · Alexander · Frank · Arthur · Francis