NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Nolen

A variant spelling of the English surname derived from the Olde English nickname for "nut gatherer.".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Nolen is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Nolen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2443, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 9 births.

This profile covers 52 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 2016 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Nolen is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 52 living people in the UK are called Nolen. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Nolen ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 9 boys were registered as Nolen.
  • About 52 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nolen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2443

2024

Births in 2024

9

Latest year

Peak year

2024

9 births

Estimated living

52

2026

Meaning

What does Nolen mean?

The name Nolen is derived from the Old Irish Gaelic word "nuall," which means "noble" or "illustrious." It originated in Ireland during the Middle Ages, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 12th century. The name was particularly common among the noble families of the Irish clans, suggesting it was a prestigious name during that era.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Nolen was Nolen Ua Dunadhaigh, a prominent Irish chieftain and military leader who lived in the late 12th century. He was known for his bravery and leadership during the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.

In the 14th century, Nolen O'Moloney was a renowned Irish poet and historian who documented the lives and achievements of many notable figures of his time. His works provide valuable insights into the cultural and historical landscapes of medieval Ireland.

During the 16th century, Nolen FitzGerald was a prominent Irish statesman and diplomat who served as the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He played a crucial role in negotiating between the English Crown and the Irish clans, seeking to maintain peace and stability in the region.

In the 17th century, Nolen O'Neill was a celebrated Irish soldier who fought alongside the Irish Confederate forces during the Irish Confederate Wars. He was known for his bravery and tactical prowess on the battlefield.

Another notable figure with the name Nolen was Nolen Shadrach, an Irish-American artist and sculptor who lived in the late 19th century. His works, which often depicted scenes from Irish mythology and folklore, are highly regarded and can be found in various museums and galleries across the United States.

While the name Nolen has its roots in Irish culture, it has been adopted and used in various other cultures and regions over the centuries. However, its strong historical ties to Ireland and the noble families of the Irish clans make it a name steeped in tradition and a sense of pride in one's heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nolen over time

The chart below shows babies named Nolen registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2016 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Nolen, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Nolen
02579201620202024

Decades

Nolen by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nolen was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #2899 35 5
2010s #3907 17 4

Related

Names similar to Nolen

FAQ

Nolen: questions and answers

How popular is the name Nolen in the UK right now?

In 2024, Nolen was ranked #2443 for boys in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.

When was Nolen most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 9 babies registered as Nolen in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nolen?

A variant spelling of the English surname derived from the Olde English nickname for "nut gatherer.".

How many people are called Nolen in the UK?

A total of 52 babies have been registered as Nolen across the 9 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.