Logan means “hollow” or “little hollow” and comes from Scottish Gaelic. Parents who enjoy exploring baby name meanings often gravitate toward this Scottish title because of its pleasant rhythm and clean, modern sound.
Logan Meaning and Origin
The given name Logan developed from a Scottish surname, which grew out of a local place-name. That place was located near Auchinleck in Ayrshire, Scotland. The place-name came from the Scottish Gaelic word lagan, a diminutive form of the root lag, meaning “hollow” or “little hollow”.
Logan transitioned into a personal first name directly from the surname. It has been used as a male given name transferred from the surname since at least the nineteenth century, and it gained significant popularity during the 2000s. Although Logan is borne generally by men, it is occasionally given to women. Usage as a female given name transferred from the surname began in the 1990s and later, though it is much less common than the male name.
An early historical appearance of the name appears in 1782 within Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia under Chief Logan’s Lament. The text recalls how Colonel Cresop murdered all the relations of Logan, not sparing even women and children. The passage recounts that Logan never felt fear, would not turn on his heel to save his life, and closed with the lament asking who remained to mourn for Logan.
Pronunciation of Logan
Logan is pronounced LOH-gən or LOH-gun in standard American English. The primary stress falls firmly on the first syllable. The first syllable rhymes with low, slow, and bow, while the second syllable rhymes with won, ton, and sun.
Because the name has two quick syllables and a soft ending, it sounds balanced and approachable. Speakers across different regions maintain this clear pronunciation without shifting the accent from the opening syllable.
Popularity in the United States
Logan first appears in official United States counts in 1880, and over the decades it has been most often given to boys, with about 7.6% of recipients being girls. For much of the twentieth century it remained relatively quiet, ranking at number 1,016 with 48 babies in 1950 before rising to number 348 with 519 babies in 1980. A major upward climb took place around the turn of the century, pushing Logan to rank 40 with 9,737 babies in 2000 and climbing to rank 17 with 14,032 babies in 2010. The name reached its peak rank of number 5 in 2017 before holding near the top at rank 16 with 9,163 babies in 2020. By 2025, Logan settled to rank 53 with 5,576 babies, bringing the total to 387,999 American boys given the name since 1880.
| Year | US rank (boys) | Babies named Logan |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #1,016 | 48 |
| 1980 | #348 | 519 |
| 2000 | #40 | 9,737 |
| 2010 | #17 | 14,032 |
| 2020 | #16 | 9,163 |
| 2025 | #53 | 5,576 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames for Logan
Because Logan is already a concise two-syllable name, parents frequently use it without modification. When family members and close friends want an affectionate short form of the name itself, they often use one of these common options:
- Logie
- Loges
- Log
- Lolo
Famous People Named Logan
Several widely recognized figures in entertainment and sports carry the name Logan:
- Logan Lerman: An American actor celebrated for starring as Percy Jackson in the fantasy film series and for his leading performance in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
- Logan Paul: An American media personality, entrepreneur, and professional wrestler who established a massive following online before competing in World Wrestling Entertainment.
- Logan Couture: A Canadian professional ice hockey center who spent many years in the National Hockey League and served as captain of the San Jose Sharks.
Middle and Sibling Names
Classic and modern middle options for boys include Alexander, James, Thomas, William, and David.
Complementary sibling names that sound great alongside Logan include Caleb, Mason, Lucas, Owen, Emma, Grace, and Chloe.
FAQ
Which Gaelic words form the basis of the name Logan?
Logan is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word lagan, which is a diminutive of lag, meaning hollow or little hollow. That Gaelic root originally identified a specific place near Auchinleck in Ayrshire, Scotland, before transitioning into a local surname and eventually becoming an established personal first name.
How many American boys have received the name Logan since 1880?
A total of 387,999 American boys have received the name Logan since 1880. While the name has occasionally been given to girls, this official tally reflects its widespread standing as a primary choice for boys across more than a century of American baby naming.
How does Logan’s peak ranking compare to its position in 2025?
Logan reached its peak at rank 5 in 2017, whereas in 2025 it held rank 53. The name reached its highest popularity during that 2017 peak, and by 2025 it counted 5,576 babies as it moved down into the fifty-third spot.
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