Irish boy name
Faolán Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Faolán means little wolf. From faol, 'wolf', plus the diminutive -án
Faolán comes from faol, the Irish word for wolf, with a diminutive ending, giving little wolf. Saint Faolán, also called Foillan, was a seventh-century missionary who travelled to the continent and was killed in Belgium. A Scottish saint called Fillan has a related name. The surnames Phelan and Whelan are anglicised forms of Ó Faoláin. The name is rare, sleek and imaginative, and is becoming better known through the fantasy tradition. Faolán has a strong, wild feel and suits families who like nature-inspired Irish names with ancient roots.
Variants of Faolán
FaolanPhelanFillanFoillan
Faolán popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2025 Faolán ranked #168 in Ireland (29 babies) and #8,466 in the US (9 babies). It is far more popular in Ireland than in America.
Ireland (boys)United States (boys)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Faolán mean?
Faolán means "little wolf". From faol, 'wolf', plus the diminutive -án.
How do you pronounce Faolán?
Faolán is pronounced FWAY-lawn.
What is the origin of Faolán?
Faolán is of Irish origin. From faol, 'wolf', plus the diminutive -án.