Is Declan increasing in popularity?

PunkyBooster · April 2010

I feel like I see a lot of nest posts about the name Declan. Is this name gaining in popularity in the US or is it just a popular "nest" name?

I know there are a lot of names on this board that we see but don't hear much IRL so I was just wondering.

Would love your thoughts.

youngin12 · April 2010

I saw it for the first time the other day on this board. I do not know anyone IRL with the name. Personally, the name is definitely NMS.

caeliesmom · April 2010

I live in Philly, I wouldn't say it' s a popular name here but it's not uncommon. It doesn't seem to be increasing in popularity though.

BethPSU · April 2010

I know someone that just had a baby named Declan. I had never heard it before, but have seen it on here occasionally since.

BizEB · April 2010

I've never heard it on a young child IRL. I went to school with a Declan.

Sweets2005 · April 2010

I never heard it before but I think it is not a good name! That is just my opinion though.

sweet1600s · April 2010

I know plenty of Declans of all ages, but I've never heard it on an American IRL.

andrea922 · April 2010

I know 2 kids with the name. I wonder if the people who dislike it so much know how to pronounce it?

JBrianne · April 2010

! the name Declan and it is MY 2nd choice for a boy (DH isn't sold on it yet though). I don't know anyone with the name, and I think it's the perfect Irish name with out being 'too' Irish - as in, it's not difficult or against English phonetics to pronounce like many Irish names.

I'm in Canada but I would still say, not getting popular.

Tammy05-26-07 · April 2010

I had never heard it before ...till one of my IVF friends named their son this 18 months ago...and have heard it many times since. I didnt know how to pronounce it at first and hated it...till I heard it was pronounced deck-lan...still nms...but not as bad as what I thought it was. lol

I do think...based on my own experience...that it is growing in popularity.

MommaMackey · April 2010

How do you pronounce it?

Domi6300 · April 2010

It's pronounced like Deck-lun.

I actually really like it. At first not so much, but it's growing on me. I think it's a good alternative to Aidan (much too popular) for people looking for a solid Irish name.

CCinLove · April 2010

I've only met one Declan in my life. I really like the name. Much more than most names I see on the nest...

alizabethy · April 2010

I love the name. It's gaining popularity around here, but it's not super common like "Jake" or "Conner."

JDO · April 2010

I only know one Declan, he's an older (probably in his 60s) Irish guy

starlight8323 · April 2010

I LOVE the name Declan, and one of the reasons you've seen it so much on the bump could be b/c I suggest it all the time. haha

krissyh21 · April 2010

I think Irish names as a whole is on the upward swing, but I don't think Declan is remotely close to the popularity of Aiden or Liam

EastCoastBride · April 2010

My son is Declan. While it's growing, as of 2008, it was 347 on the SS list. Aidan was 59!

I had never heard of the name before my DH found it in a name book and really liked it. It took awhile for it to grow on me, but I decided I did like it, and we picked it.

Once we picked it, I heard of an acquaintance who named her DS Declan, and I now know a woman in my neighborhood who also has a Declan.

So, yes, I think it's become more popular, but I wouldn't call it a popular name.

Oh- and Elvis Costello's real name is Declan!

CrazyToast · April 2010

One of my dear friends from HS named her first boy Declan. They are doing all Irish names for their children (they now have 3).

TDFS · April 2010

youngin12:
I saw it for the first time the other day on this board. I do not know anyone IRL with the name. Personally, the name is definitely NMS.

This