Allen

Allen is a surname and a given name in the English-speaking world. The name has several spellings, including Allen, Allan, and Allyn. It is often derived from the given name Allan or Alan, itself of uncertain origin, with possible roots in Celtic or Breton names such as Alain.

In geography, Allen is the name of towns and counties in the United States, including Allen, Texas, and Allen, Alabama, as well as Allen County in multiple states. The name is also used for streets, schools, and various institutions.

Notable people with the surname Allen include actors Tim Allen and Woody Allen. Notable people with the given name Allen include basketball player Allen Iverson and poet Allen Ginsberg. The given name Allen is commonly used in English-speaking countries, often as a stand-alone name or a surname-derived given name.

Other uses include institutions and places named Allen, such as the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, a research center known for neuroscience resources, and Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, a historically black university. The name also appears in various organizations, landmarks, and geographic features around the world.