UK boy's name
Talen
From a Welsh origin, meaning "brow of a hill".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Talen is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Talen popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4810, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 4 births.
This profile covers 26 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 1996 to 2016. 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.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 26 living people in the UK are called Talen. 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 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Talen ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 4 boys were registered as Talen.
- • About 26 living people in the UK are estimated to have Talen as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4810
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
4 births
Estimated living
26
2026
Meaning
What does Talen mean?
The name Talen finds its origins in the ancient Celtic language, with roots dating back to the 5th century BCE. It is believed to be derived from the word "talon," which translates to "brow" or "summit," symbolizing strength, determination, and a lofty spirit.
During the Roman occupation of Britain and Gaul, the name gained popularity among the Celtic tribes inhabiting these regions. It was often bestowed upon warriors and chieftains who displayed exceptional bravery and leadership qualities on the battlefield.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Talen can be found in the ancient Welsh epic poem, "The Gododdin," composed around the late 6th century CE. The poem commemorates the heroic deeds of a British prince named Talen who valiantly fought against the invading Saxons.
In the 9th century CE, the name appears in the Irish Annals, where Talen mac Conchobair is mentioned as a renowned scholar and scribe who contributed significantly to the preservation of ancient Celtic literature and mythology.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Talen remained prevalent among the noble families of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Talen ap Rhys (1135-1203) was a Welsh prince and military commander who played a pivotal role in the conflicts against the Anglo-Normans, earning him a reputation as a fearless warrior.
Another notable figure was Talen O'Donnell (1541-1590), an Irish chieftain and leader of the O'Donnell clan during the Tudor conquest of Ireland. He is celebrated for his unwavering resistance against the English forces and his efforts to preserve the traditional Gaelic way of life.
In the 17th century, Talen Beaton (1610-1678) was a Scottish poet and political activist who championed the rights of the Highland clans and advocated for Scottish independence from English rule.
As the name transcended geographical boundaries, it found its way into other cultures and languages. Talen Skarsgård (1856-1920) was a renowned Swedish actor and director who helped establish the foundations of modern Swedish theater.
In more recent times, Talen Horton-Tucker (born 1996) is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Utah Jazz in the NBA, showcasing the enduring legacy and adaptability of this ancient Celtic name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Talen over time
The chart below shows babies named Talen registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Talen, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Talen by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Talen 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4714 | 9 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3725 | 14 | 4 |
| 1990s | #2863 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Talen
- Thomas 160,894
- Tyler 42,147
- Theo 40,594
- Toby 32,482
- Theodore 30,211
- Tommy 25,300
- Teddy 20,781
- Taylor 14,354
- Tobias 13,102
- Tom 9,822
- Tristan 9,171
- Timothy 6,200
FAQ
Talen: questions and answers
How popular is the name Talen in the UK right now?
In 2016, Talen was ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Talen most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 4 babies registered as Talen in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Talen?
From a Welsh origin, meaning "brow of a hill".
How many people are called Talen in the UK?
A total of 26 babies have been registered as Talen across the 8 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.