Challen is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:

• Albert Charles Challen (1847–1881), British artist
• Charles Challen (1894–1960), British barrister and politician
• Charles Challen (cricketer) (1790-?), English first-class cricketer
• Colin Challen (born 1953), British politician
• Craig Challen, Australian technical diver and cave explorer
• James Challen senior, English cricketer
• James Challen junior (1825–1900), English cricketer
• John Challen (1863–1937), Welsh amateur sportsman who played first-class cricket and association football
• Michael Challen (born 1932), Australian Anglican bishop
• William Challen (1786-?), English first-class cricketer