Logan Name Meaning – What Does The Name Logan Mean?

What does the name Logan Mean? In this quick guide, we will explore the origin, history, popularity, and meaning of the name Logan. 

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Meaning of The Name Logan

The name Logan is a Gaelic baby name and has come to mean “little hollow” in Scottish. It first became popular as a given name in the United States in the late-1800s when it was bestowed upon sons of prominent families.

The given name Logan gained more public recognition when released as a song by Garth Brooks in 2001. Beginning around 2010, Logan became one of the most popular baby names in the United States and continues to stay on top of many lists.

Some other well-known namesakes include actor Logan Lerman, singer/songwriter Logan Mize, and football player Logan Thomas. In addition to being a popular first name, it’s also often used as a surname — such as Spider-Man Actor Tobey Maguire’s middle name or Remington Steele star Pierce Brosnan’s great-grandfather’s surname — or as part of longer names such as Finnegan and Brogan.

Although some people consider it to be an “old fashioned” baby boy name because of its historical roots, recent surges in popularity still make it one of the most common masculine given names for newborns today. Many parents love the idea that their son will share his namesake with thousands of other Logans!

History and Origin of The Name Logan

The name Logan is of Scottish and Irish origin, typically associated with the language of the Gaelic people. The original form of the name, which first appeared in ancient manuscripts during the Middle Ages, was Logane, which later evolved into different spellings including Lagan, Logain and Logaun.

The root of this name can be traced back to a nautical term “lagan,” although this is not completely certain and there are other theories circulating in Scotland as to its ultimate origins.

Depending on the specific texts you examine, the meaning can vary from little hollow or lowland to lively or warlike. There are many variations on this one name including McLogan, Loganney and McLoganey.

Gender of The Name Logan

The name Logan is primarily a male name of Scottish origin meaning “small hollow”. Logan can also be used as a girl’s name, though in this form it is of a more obscure origin.

The popularity of the name Logan for boys increased dramatically in the U.S. during the 1990s and 2000s, when it was among the top 10 names for boys in 2006 and 2007, and peaked at number four in 2012 according to Babycenter.com’s list of baby names.

In 2017, the gender breakdown for Logan was 77 percent male, 23 percent female — although this data may have been slightly inaccurate due to people choising gender-neutral names such as Logan instead of traditional boy or girl names.

Logan remains one of the most popular Scottish names today, with an estimated 10 million people currently bearing the name throughout the world according to BehindTheName.com.

Popularity of The Name Logan

As a given name, Logan has become increasingly popular with parents in the United States, Canada, Australia and other parts of the English-speaking world since the 1980s. Previously thought to be a Scottish nickname for “little hollow” or “small and hollow,” Logan was most often used as a surname.

In 2019, Logan was ranked as the 25th most popular name for baby boys in the United States. This made it one of the top 250 names chosen for boys in America that year and placed it among other popular names such as Elijah, Michael and Benjamin.

The name is particularly associated with a group of fictional spies known as The WILDC.A.T.S., members of which include Logan Cale (alias Cable), named after James J. (“Logan”) Summers who first created the superheroes in 1992; or Professor Charles Xavier’s protégé oto—aka Wolverine—who use the alias ‘Logan’ when his true identity must remain concealed; both characters currently appear on multiple platforms in comic books and films set in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Popularity may also be enhanced by its phonetic similarity to top 100 boys’ names like Logan Phillips and Noah Gibson, both featured in films such as ‘Pirates of Caribbean’ and ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ respectively.

Variations of The Name Logan

The name Logan is thought to have derived from a Scottish surname, which itself comes from a place-name in Ayrshire, Scotland. As a forename, Logan has many variations across the English-speaking world.

In the United States, the name may appear as any of the following alternate spellings: Logen, Logun, Lohan or Loghan. There are also many variants of the name that originate from other languages such as Laoghaire (Irish), Launo (Finnish) and Logán (Spanish).

In addition to its written variations, strange variants in pronunciation also abound – with some people saying “Loh-gan” and others opting for “Low-gan.” Ultimately, each variant is a unique interpretation of this rich and popular name.

Famous People Named Logan in History

Throughout history there have been many famous people named Logan, from ancient times to the present day. Here is a selection of some of the most famous individuals who have borne the name Logan.

Academic, poet and NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) was born Logan Weldon, taking his stepfather’s last name after his mother remarried.

Johnson wrote several books about his experiences growing up in Florida and New York, as well as numerous poems, including “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which has since become known as the Black National Anthem.

American physicist Robert Logan (1841–1925) was one of the first scientists to study electricity within living cells. He also researched navigation assistive systems for ships and was one of the main proponents of an electrical guidance system that became known as radar.

Folk poet Henry Clay Work (1832–1884) was born Henry Clay Work, with his mother later changing his first name to Henry and adding Logan as a surname when she remarried. His poem “Marching Through Georgia” remains widely popular in America today despite its being written shortly after the civil war ended in 1865.

American actor John Joseph “Jack” Nicholson (b 1937) also has ties to Logan: His father’s family changed their name from Neitzcheim to Nicholson during World War II in order to avoid discrimination due to their German heritage; Nicholson is a variation on their original surname loganesscheim which translates from German into English as “at house/dwelling at a small hill”.

Pronunciation of The Name Logan

Logan is typically pronounced with a long “o” sound, such as like in the word “no”. The name Logan is derived from a Scottish surname, that of Logan of Restalrig, who was descended from a nobile house in Scotland.

This surname originates from the Gaelic loc-gan, which most likely means ‘little hollow’. It can be variously translated as ‘dweller by the hollow’, or ‘small valley’.

Numerology of The Name Logan

Numerology is the study of numbers and their meanings and involves looking at someone’s name to determine a numerological value.

This can be used to gain insight into someone’s character and future. The name Logan has a numerological value of 4, which implies practicality, dependability, precision, and organization.

Four is also the number associated with stability, trustworthiness, and honest expression. Those with this number in their name tend to be practical people who face challenges with determination and work hard to achieve their goals.

They are reliable team players who strive for success while maintaining balance in life. Logan may be an ideal choice for parents looking for a strong name that inspires ambition.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Name Logan

What Is The Origin of The Name Logan?

The name Logan is derived from a Scottish surname, originally derived from a place name. The place name comes from “lagan,” the Gaelic word for “hollow.” This surname was first used by the Logan clan in Scotland and was brought to America by immigrants.

What Does Logan Mean?

The literal meaning of Logan is “hollow”, though as a given name it carries more positive connotations, such as “logical”, “wise” or “protector”. It also carries strong Irish connections because of its use in Irish folklore and mythology as an ancient king who led his people against mythical invaders. The meaning behind this famous Irish story has endured through centuries, becoming deeply intertwined with Logan’s image of nobility and leadership.

Where Does The Name Logan Come From?

As mentioned above, the name originated in Scotland and was brought over to America by immigrants. In particular, many Irish immigrants called their sons ‘Logan’ to honour their Gaelic roots back home. During the 20th century, however, it has become increasingly popular across other countries and cultures as well because of its strong connection with Gaelic history and mythology.

Is There Any Other Significance Associated With This Name?

Yes! Recognizing its connection with Ireland and Gaelic culture has added an extra layer of meaning for families with relatives who came to America from Ireland or Scotland seeking better lives – especially when reclaiming heritage ties that have been lost throughout generations back home.

Additionally, due to its underlying mythology, it has also been adopted by some families as a symbol of hope or encouragement during times of adversity – associating themselves with King Logan’s courage in battling supposed invaders!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the name Logan has a number of different potential meanings. Most commonly, it is connected to a Scottish surname, which means “small hollow.” In other cases, it can be connected to a Norse word and mean “dweller in the little hollow,” or even “warrior.”

Many families and individuals with this surname trace their roots back centuries ago and to various parts of Scotland.

The name is also popularly used as a given name in many countries around the world, including America, Australia and the UK.

Whatever its origin, Logan is a beautiful name that has been embraced by many people around the world!