Logan Name Meaning

Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Logan.

Logan is a Scottish name that comes from the Gaelic word lagan or lag, which means “hollow” (although the name itself means “little hollow”). It was initially a surname in Scotland but eventually began to be used as a first name as well.

Logan remains pretty popular in the United Kingdom, but it crossed the pond, so to speak, in the 1970s, gaining interest among American parents. Although the name Logan is often associated with boys rather than girls, it has taken on a more gender-neutral element in recent decades. 

Read on to learn about the popularity trends of the name Logan, variations, similar names, and famous people named Logan.

  • Origin: Logan is a Scottish name meaning “little hollow.”
  • Gender: Logan is traditionally a masculine name, although it has become more gender-neutral over time.
  • Pronunciation: LOH-guhn 

Editor's Note

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that gender does not need to play a role in your name selection process. Instead, it’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

Logan Baby Name

How Popular Is the Name Logan?

Logan has been in the top 1,000 names in the US since 1900 when it came in at 501. By the middle of the twentieth century, it nearly dropped off the list but made a resurgence in the 1970s. It jumped from 782 to 370 in boys' names between 1976 and 1979, but it didn't crack the top 100 until 1991, when it came in at 94.

Its popularity steadily increased from there, entering the top 20 names in 2006 and reaching its peak in 2017 as the fifth most popular boys' name in the US. It remained a top 20 name until 2021, when it fell to 21. In 2023, it was 39 for most popular boys' names.

On the feminine side, Logan appeared on the top names for girls in 1988 at 766. It picked up steam in the middle of the '90s, coming in at 257 in 1996. It hasn't been that popular for girls since then, although it came close in 2017 with a placement at No. 292. In 2022, it ranked 372 for girls.

Name Variations

Logan doesn’t have many variations in other languages or translations, but it does have a few alternative spellings you may want to consider: 

  • Logen
  • Logon
  • Logun
  • Logyn

Similar Names

Other Scottish or Gaelic baby names for boys include:

  • Callum
  • Douglas
  • Duncan
  • Finlay
  • Ewan
  • Hamish
  • Murray
  • Nevin
  • Rory
  • Sean

Other boy names starting with "L" include:

  • Landon
  • Lawrence
  • Layton
  • Leland
  • Leo
  • Levi
  • Liam
  • Lincoln
  • Luke
  • Luther

Suggested Sibling Names

Need ideas for what to call Logan’s siblings? Here are some suggestions:

  • Ava
  • Charlie
  • Dylan
  • Emma
  • Evan
  • Harper 
  • Jacob 
  • Mason
  • Olivia
  • Owen
  • Quinn
  • Rowan
  • Sean
  • William

Famous People Named Logan 

Logan's recent popularity in the US hasn't lent itself to a long history of famous people with the name. However, there are a few famous Logans, including:

  • Logan Green, co-founder, chairman, and former CEO of ride-share company Lyft
  • Logan Lerman, American actor best known for the Percy Jackson films
  • Logan Marshall-Green, American actor
  • Logan Paul, American social media personality

Fictional Logans

Several fictional Logans come to mind, including one that’s well-known and loved by fans of a certain comic book series!

  • Logan, Wolverine’s alias in the X-Men comic books and films
  • Logan 3, the main character in the popular 1967 novel Logan’s Run
  • Logan Echolls, a character in the 2004 TV series Veronica Mars
  • Logan Mitchell, a character in the 2009 Nickelodeon TV series Big Time Rush
  • Logan Roy, the patriarch of the Roy family played by Brian Cox in HBO's hit series Succession

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Top 10 Baby Names of 2023: Popularity of Name Logan. Social Security Administration. 2023.

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