Tristan
Tristan: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ΛtΙΉΙͺstΙn/
Meaning and origin of Tristan
- A male given name from the Celtic languages.
- A female given name.
Etymology
Old French, the name of a knight, lover of Iseult in medieval romance Tristan and Iseult, from Celtic Drystan derived from drest meaning "riot" or "tumult".
How popular is Tristan?
Since 1880, 6,551 girls and 124,243 boys in the U.S. have been named Tristan (5% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #592 in 1996. Its highest rank for boys was #68 in 1996. In 2025 it ranked #309 for boys, with 1,125 babies given the name.
Names similar to Tristan
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Celtic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Tristan
Sister and brother names that share Tristan's Celtic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Tristan FAQ
What does the name Tristan mean?
A male given name from the Celtic languages. A female given name. Old French, the name of a knight, lover of Iseult in medieval romance Tristan and Iseult, from Celtic Drystan derived from drest meaning "riot" or "tumult".
What is the origin of the name Tristan?
Tristan is listed as a name of Celtic origin.
How popular is the name Tristan?
Since 1880, 6,551 girls and 124,243 boys in the U.S. have been named Tristan (5% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #592 in 1996. Its highest rank for boys was #68 in 1996. In 2025 it ranked #309 for boys, with 1,125 babies given the name.
Is Tristan a boy or girl name?
Tristan is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 6,551 girls and 124,243 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880β2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.