Devlin Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DEV-lin //ˈdɛv.lɪn//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: 'unlucky'; English: 'descendant of the brave one'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Devlin has its roots in the Irish language, derived from the Gaelic surname "O'Deabhail," which means "descendant of Deabhail." The name Deabhail itself is believed to be derived from the word "dobhail," meaning "unlucky" or "unfortunate." This etymological journey traces back to the Old Irish period, where the Gaelic language was prominent in Ireland. The transition into English occurred through the anglicization of Gaelic names during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly as Irish surnames were adapted to fit English phonetics and spelling conventions.
Historically, the name Devlin has been associated with various notable figures and families in Ireland. One significant milestone is the presence of the O'Deabhail clan in the province of Ulster, where they were part of the Gaelic nobility.
The name appears in various historical records, including the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. The name's association with Irish heritage has contributed to its cultural significance, particularly during periods of Irish nationalism and the diaspora.
Culturally, the name Devlin carries connotations of resilience and connection to Irish identity. It has often been embraced in literature and folklore, symbolizing the rich tapestry of Irish heritage.
The name has also been linked to various saints and religious figures, which further enhances its historical resonance. While diminutive forms such as "Dev" may arise in colloquial use, the name Devlin itself remains a strong representation of Irish lineage and tradition, embodying a sense of belonging to a storied past.
Famous people named Devlin
In this section, you will find notable people named Devlin. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Devlin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Devlin who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Devlin is a rapper best known for his albums Bud, Blood & Tears, Acolyte, and the single 'Runaway.'.
Devlin is a professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE under the ring name 'Devlin.'.
Devlin is a musician best known for his work in the band Devlin's Revenge.
Fictional characters named Devlin
The following list of fictional characters named Devlin is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Devlin is a fictional character from the novel The Devil's Advocate by Andrew Neiderman. He is a young lawyer who becomes embroiled in a morally complex legal battle that tests his values and beliefs.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Devlin, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Devlin. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Devlin was first seen in the United States in 1957.
Devlin has ranked as high as #1248 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Devlin has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Devlin is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Devlin was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Devlin (2018)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Devlin.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2021 | 27 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2018 | 44 |
| 2017 | 29 |
| 2016 | 45 |
| 2015 | 59 |
| 2014 | 71 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2012 | 82 |
| 2011 | 77 |
| 2010 | 90 |
| 2009 | 116 |
| 2008 | 108 |
| 2007 | 140 |
| 2006 | 128 |
| 2005 | 119 |
| 2004 | 132 |
| 2003 | 131 |
| 2002 | 102 |
| 2001 | 94 |
| 2000 | 101 |
| 1999 | 85 |
| 1998 | 95 |
| 1997 | 89 |
| 1996 | 73 |
| 1995 | 71 |
| 1994 | 50 |
| 1993 | 70 |
| 1992 | 50 |
| 1991 | 43 |
| 1990 | 44 |
| 1989 | 46 |
| 1988 | 25 |
| 1987 | 23 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1985 | 24 |
| 1984 | 35 |
| 1983 | 52 |
| 1982 | 24 |
| 1981 | 23 |
| 1980 | 13 |
| 1979 | 20 |
| 1978 | 20 |
| 1977 | 21 |
| 1976 | 14 |
| 1975 | 36 |
| 1974 | 39 |
| 1973 | 19 |
| 1972 | 38 |
| 1971 | 36 |
| 1970 | 28 |
| 1969 | 14 |
| 1968 | 25 |
| 1967 | 13 |
| 1966 | 19 |
| 1965 | 9 |
| 1964 | 19 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1962 | 12 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1957 | 5 |