Dylan: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration

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Dylan

Dylan is a name of Welsh origin meaning "son of the sea." It was derived from the Welsh component dy and llanw, which means "sea."

+ 4% this year Neutral Common

Tara Rhiannon Dawn Fietz, BA, MFA

| Updated: August 7, 2024

Tara Rhiannon Dawn Fietz, BA, MFA

| Updated: August 7, 2024 Table of contents

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Dylan mean and stand for as a girl's name?

Meaning:

• Welsh: Son of the sea, born from the ocean
• Irish: Loyal, faithful

Gender: Female, unisex

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Dylan is pronounced DIL-un

The name Dylan has been derived from Welsh origins, meaning "son of the sea" or "born from the ocean." Although traditionally used for boys, it has gained popularity as a unisex or girl's name. The name Dylan is associated with the Welsh sea god, reflecting qualities of strength and tranquility.

Girl name variations

Dylane Dylin Dylana Dylann Dylen Dylaan Dylanee Dylanie Dyllan Dylynn

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Dylan mean and stand for as a boy's name?

Meaning:

• Welsh: Son of the sea, born from the ocean
• Irish: Loyal, faithful

Gender: Male, unisex

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Dylan is pronounced DIL-un

The name Dylan originates from Wales and is notably associated with the Welsh god of the sea, Dylan Eil Ton, which translates to "son of the sea", coming from the Welsh components dy and llanw. Additionally, modern usage has been popularised by iconic figures in literature and music, notably the poet Dylan Thomas and musician Bob Dylan, adding to its timeless appeal.

Boy name variations

Dillon Dillan Dyllan Dyllon Dylon

How Popular Is The Name Dylan

Family name origins & meanings

Welsh: from the Welsh personal name Dylan, which means "great tide," "great flow," or "son of the sea." The name is derived from the elements dy meaning "great" and llanw meaning "tide" or "flow."

English: habitational name potentially linked to a location near water, though no specific English place name corresponds directly to Dylan. The name's meaning ties it metaphorically to places associated with water bodies and their flow.

American: popularized in modern times by American culture through figures such as the poet Dylan Thomas and musician Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman), adopting the name inspired by the poet.

Famous people with this last name

Bob Dylan

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Mia Farrow Ralph Lauren Robin Wright Sean Penn Babyface Edmonds Bart Conner Catherine O'Hara Catherine Zeta-Jones Michael Douglas Nadia Comaneci Pamela Anderson Stephanie Seymour Tommy Lee

Dylan in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

• Dylan McKay from Beverly Hills, 90210 - A brooding bad boy with a soft spot, he is one of the main characters in the iconic 90s teen drama series.
• Dylan Schoenfield from Geek Charming - The popular girl at school, whose life is transformed when she starts working on a film project with a geeky boy.
• Dylan Hunt from Andromeda - The captain of the starship Andromeda Ascendant, trying to restore the Systems Commonwealth in a distant future.
• Dylan Massett from Bates Motel - The estranged son of Norma Bates who becomes deeply involved in the series' dark and twisted storyline.
• Dylan Rhodes from Now You See Me - An enigmatic FBI agent who leads the pursuit of a team of illusionists pulling off bank heists during their performances.

Popularity of the Name Dylan

According to Social Security Administration data, Dylan has been a popular name in the United States, maintaining its presence in the top 50 names for boys. The name Dylan first gained prominence due to the 6th-century Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and has since been widely adopted in English-speaking countries.

Notable historical figures with the name include the famous American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman), who chose this name as his stage name in homage to the poet. In popular culture, the name has been well-represented by characters such as Dylan McKay from the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210 and Dylan Massett from the series Bates Motel. The name also appears in literature, with Dylan Dog being the protagonist of the Italian comic book series Dylan Dog.

Where Is the Name Dylan Popular?

This name is most popular across certain states in the U.S., including those highlighted on the map below.

Nicknames for Dylan

These shortened names can make great nicknames for your baby.

• Dee
• DiDi
• Dil
• Dilly

Dylan Pairs Well With These Middle Names

Looking for a middle name that fits perfectly? Consider these!

Christian Darius Harrison Perry Timothy

Appears On

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People Who Like the Name Dylan Also Like

Check out these names that are similar, but still unique to your baby.

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