Dylan
Dylan: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdɪlən/
Meaning and origin of Dylan
- A male given name from Welsh.
- A female given name.
Etymology
From Welsh mythology; possibly from Celtic for "son of the sea" or "born from the ocean." Unrelated to the name Dillon, although the homophony may result in the two being considered variant spellings of the same name.
How popular is Dylan?
Since 1880, 16,272 girls and 418,679 boys in the U.S. have been named Dylan (4% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #354 in 2017. Its highest rank for boys was #19 in 2003. In 2025 it ranked #41 for boys, with 6,546 babies given the name.
Names similar to Dylan
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Welsh boy names
Sibling name ideas for Dylan
Sister and brother names that share Dylan's Welsh roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Dylan FAQ
What does the name Dylan mean?
A male given name from Welsh. A female given name. From Welsh mythology; possibly from Celtic for "son of the sea" or "born from the ocean." Unrelated to the name Dillon, although the homophony may result in the two being considered variant spellings of the same name.
What is the origin of the name Dylan?
Dylan is listed as a name of Welsh origin.
How popular is the name Dylan?
Since 1880, 16,272 girls and 418,679 boys in the U.S. have been named Dylan (4% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #354 in 2017. Its highest rank for boys was #19 in 2003. In 2025 it ranked #41 for boys, with 6,546 babies given the name.
Is Dylan a boy or girl name?
Dylan is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 16,272 girls and 418,679 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.