Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Kellen

The name Kellen is possibly derived from one of three sources. For one, it’s the transferred use of a Scottish surname McKellen from the Gaelic Mac Ailein meaning ‘son of Alan’ whereby the old Celtic word “alp, ail” meant ‘rock’ which can also be found in the modern Irish “ailín” meaning ‘little rock.’ Related perhaps is the Scottish Gaelic “àlainn” meaning ‘beautiful. Or the Scottish surname Mac Cailein meaning ‘son of Colin’ whereby the Gaelic “caileán” means ‘cub’ or ‘young one’. Kellen could also be an altered spelling of the Irish Gaelic name Caoilfhionn (anglicized to Keelan or Keelin) derived from the Gaelic compound “caoil” plus “fionn” meaning ‘slender and fair’. From all perspectives, Kellen is a name with Celtic roots. Kellen is a masculine personal name used mainly in the United States.

All About the Baby Name – Kellen

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME KELLEN

The number Five personality loves the excitement of life and can easily adapt to all situations. As natural adventurers, these personalities thrive on the new and unexpected and prefer to be in constant motion. It makes them feel alive. They'll stir up some action if there's not enough around, and as inherent risk-takers they enjoy pushing the envelope. Naturally rebellious, the Five personality has no fear and never resists change.  Traveling and new experiences feed their souls. Fives are very social and attract friends with ease. People love to be around the Five fun-loving and exciting energy.  This is also a lucky number in numerology (like the Threes), so fortune seems to shine on them, helped along by their own optimism and good-nature. Fives have a quick wit, a cerebral mind, and are generally very persuasive. 

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME KELLEN

Kellen first appeared on the male naming charts in 1981. For the next 20 years, the name would experience low to semi-moderate levels of use. At first, Kellen’s introduction to the chats was probably inspired by the ongoing interest Americans have in Celtic names. However, the name saw a big push in usage after 2002, which is the year the first book in the popular “Obsidian Trilogy” was released wherein the main protagonist’s name is Kellen. While Kellen clearly has its roots in Celtic-Gaelic origins, the name could come from three different sources with three potential meanings. This gives indecisive parents the chance to select the meaning most appealing to them. Is your little Kellen sturdy like a ‘rock’ or cute and cuddly like a ‘young cub’? Do you expect him to grow up and be ‘slender and handsome’? All etymologies are pleasant for this most agreeable name.

Quick Facts

ON KELLEN

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

395

PRONUNCIATION:

KEE-lәn or KEL-әn

SIMPLE MEANING:

Rock, Young cub, or Slender and Fair

Characteristics

OF KELLEN

Freedom-loving

Adventurous

Adaptable

Intellectual

Easygoing

Progressive

Sensual

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Kellen

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME KELLEN

Kellen Tavadon is the protagonist of authors Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory’s “Obsidian Trilogy” which includes the fantasy novels “The Outstretched Shadow” (2002), “To Light a Candle” (2004), and concluded with “When Darkness Falls” (2006). The hero of the Trilogy is Kellen, the son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, who thought he knew the way the world worked. His father, leading the wise and benevolent Council of Mages, protected and guided the citizens of the Golden City of the Bells. Then Kellen found the forbidden Books of Wild Magic – or did they find him? Their Magic felt like a living thing, guided by the hearts and minds of those who practiced it and benefited from it. Questioning everything he has known, Kellen discovers too many of the City's dark secrets. Banished, with the Outlaw Hunt on his heels, Kellen invokes Wild Magic – and finds himself running for his life with a unicorn at his side.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME KELLEN

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Kellen


Popular Songs

ON KELLEN

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Kellen


Famous People

NAMED KELLEN

Kellen Briggs (hockey player)
Kellen Clemens (football player)
Kellen Moore (football player)
Kellen Winslow (football player)
Kellen Winslow II (football player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED KELLEN

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Kellen

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME KELLEN

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Kellen