Starting in the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee.

The name is the definite singular form of the Old Norse word áll which means "eel".

This name likely refers to the winding valley in which the main village centre is located.

At the time of the municipal dissolution, it was part of the Haltdalen prestegjeld and the Gauldal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Ålen was made up of 17 representatives that were elected to four year terms.