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 originally 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 the last couple of decades. 

Logan wasn’t on the radar of most U.S. parents until the middle of the ’70s when it started making huge leaps and bounds across the Social Security Administration’s baby name rankings. It jumped from No. 782 to No. 370 in boys’ names in just four short years (1976 to 1979) but didn’t crack the top 100 until 1991. 

  • Origin: Logan is a Scottish name meaning “little hollow.”Gender: Logan is traditionally used as a boy name, although it’s not unheard of for modern parents to choose the name for their daughter as well. Pronunciation: LOH-guhn

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

Its popularity steadily increased from there, entering the top 20 names in 2006 and reaching its peak in 2017 at No. 5. Even though its streak has slowed a bit, it’s still in the top 20. In 2020, it was No. 16 for boys’ names.

On the female side, Logan picked up steam in the middle of the ’90s, coming in at No. 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.

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: 

  • LogenLogonLogunLogyn

Similar Names 

Other Gaelic boy names include:

  • CallumDouglasDuncanFinlayEwanHamishMurrayNevinRorySean

Other boy names starting with L:

  • LandonLawrenceLaytonLelandLeoLeviLiamLincolnLukeLuther

Suggested Sibling Names

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

  • AvaCharlieDylanEmmaEvanHarper Jacob MasonOliviaOwenQuinnRowanSeanWilliam

Famous People Named Logan 

As much as we love the name Logan, its more recent popularity in the U.S. hasn’t lent itself to a long history of famous people with the name. However, there are a few famous Logans, including a fictional Logan that’s well-known and loved by fans of a certain comic book series! Famous Logans include:

  • Logan Green, CEO of ride-share company LyftLogan Lerman, American actor best known for the “Percy Jackson” filmsLogan Marshall-Green, American actorLogan Paul, social media personality

Fictional Logans:

  • Logan, Wolverine’s alias in the “X-Men” comic books and filmsLogan 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”

More Baby Names

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

  • Top 1,000 Baby Boy Names
  • 300 Popular Baby Names Ending in A, N, and Y
  • 50 Scottish Baby Names