Phelan

At a Glance

Meaning

Anglicized from Ó Faoláin, 'descendant of Faolán'; Faolán is a pet form of 'faol' (wolf), roughly 'little wolf'

Origin

Irish

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

FAY-luhnListen

Phelan is an Irish name, an anglicized form of the surname Ó Faoláin, 'descendant of Faolán.' Faolán is a pet form of 'faol' (wolf), roughly 'little wolf,' so the wolf sense comes through the diminutive rather than the name meaning 'wolf' outright. It's pronounced FAY-luhn.

Meaning & Origin of Phelan

Meaning: Anglicized from Ó Faoláin, 'descendant of Faolán'; Faolán is a pet form of 'faol' (wolf), roughly 'little wolf'.

Origin: Irish.

A common claim: Wolf Actually: Phelan doesn't mean 'wolf' outright — it's an anglicized surname meaning 'descendant of Faolán,' and Faolán is the diminutive ('little wolf') that carries the wolf sense.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Phelan

Popularity of Phelan

Phelan has stayed rare in the U.S. Its highest ranking was #2891 in 1996, with 26 babies given the name, and by 2024 it had slipped to #9624 with 8 babies.

Names Like Phelan

These names have followed a similar path to Phelan in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Osmany
• Briah
• Autum
• Oshay
• Rapheal
• Oluwafemi

FAQ

What does the name Phelan mean?

Anglicized from Ó Faoláin, ‘descendant of Faolán’; Faolán is a pet form of ‘faol’ (wolf), roughly ‘little wolf’. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Phelan?

Phelan is pronounced FAY-luhn (IPA: /ˈfeɪlən/).

Is Phelan a popular name right now?

Phelan peaked at #2891 in 1996 and is ranked #9624 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1949–2024.)

Make Phelan Name Art

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