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Name Origin

Allan is a given name of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic elements 'ail' meaning 'handsome' or 'noble' and 'lan' meaning 'little.' It is a diminutive form of names like Alan and Alastair. Allan traditionally signifies handsomeness, nobility, and spiritual strength.

scottishirishgaelicdiminutivehandsomenoblespiritualstrength

Famous People

Allan Holdsworth (1946-2017)

Guitarist, composer

  • Highly influential jazz fusion guitarist known for his complex harmonic structures and unique playing style

Allan McLeod Cormack (1924-1998)

Physicist

  • Development of the computed tomography (CT) scan, for which he shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Allan Kaprow (1927-2006)

Artist, pioneer of Happenings

  • Influential figure in performance art and the blurring of boundaries between art and life