Dylan Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DIL-an //ˈdɪlən//
Origin: Welsh; Irish
Meaning: Welsh: son of the sea; Irish: born near the sea
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Dylan has its roots in the Welsh language, derived from the elements "dy" meaning "great" or "the" and "llanw" meaning "tide" or "flow." This etymology suggests a meaning akin to "son of the sea" or "born from the ocean," reflecting the natural landscape of Wales, where rivers and the sea play a significant role in cultural identity. The name appears in early Welsh literature, particularly in the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales, where Dylan is depicted as a character associated with the sea, further solidifying its maritime connotations.
Historically, the name Dylan gained prominence in the 20th century, particularly due to the influence of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who was active in the early to mid-20th century. His works, characterized by their lyrical quality and exploration of themes such as nature and human experience, brought the name into broader cultural consciousness.
The association with Thomas, who is considered one of the most significant Welsh writers, contributed to the name's enduring appeal and recognition beyond Wales. Culturally, the name Dylan has been embraced in various artistic expressions, including literature, music, and film, often symbolizing a connection to nature and the sea.
It has been used in various forms of media, reinforcing its association with creativity and emotional depth. Additionally, the name has a diminutive form, "Dyl," which has been used informally, though its historical significance is less pronounced.
Overall, Dylan embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic heritage and cultural resonance, reflecting both its Welsh origins and its broader literary significance.
Famous people named Dylan
In this section, you will find notable people named Dylan. 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 Dylan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Dylan 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.
Dylan Thomas is a poet and writer best known for Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night, Under Milk Wood, and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
Dylan Baker is an actor best known for Planes Trains and Automobiles, The Good Wife, and Happiness.
Dylan O'Brien is an actor best known for Teen Wolf, The Maze Runner, and American Assassin.
Dylan McDermott is an actor best known for The Practice, American Horror Story, and Steel Magnolias.
Dylan Sprouse is an actor best known for The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The Suite Life on Deck, and After We Collided.
Dylan Walsh is an actor best known for Nip/Tuck, Everwood, and The Stepfather.
Fictional characters named Dylan
The following list of fictional characters named Dylan 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.
Dylan is a fictional character from the animated series Total Drama. They are a contestant known for their laid-back attitude and strong friendship with other characters.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dylan, 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 Dylan. 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 Dylan was first seen in the United States in 1953.
Dylan has ranked as high as #25 nationally, which occurred in 2001, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Dylan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Dylan 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 Dylan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Dylan (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 1,109 | |
| TX | 1,064 | |
| FL | 743 | |
| NY | 526 | |
| GA | 270 | |
| IL | 266 | |
| VA | 231 | |
| NC | 215 | |
| MD | 202 | |
| PA | 180 | |
| TN | 156 | |
| AZ | 138 | |
| MA | 136 | |
| WA | 135 | |
| OH | 127 |
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 Dylan.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7,464 |
| 2023 | 7,072 |
| 2022 | 6,738 |
| 2021 | 6,762 |
| 2020 | 6,855 |
| 2019 | 7,555 |
| 2018 | 8,610 |
| 2017 | 9,315 |
| 2016 | 9,719 |
| 2015 | 10,298 |
| 2014 | 10,416 |
| 2013 | 10,127 |
| 2012 | 10,000 |
| 2011 | 9,790 |
| 2010 | 10,518 |
| 2009 | 11,372 |
| 2008 | 11,707 |
| 2007 | 12,811 |
| 2006 | 13,171 |
| 2005 | 13,782 |
| 2004 | 14,852 |
| 2003 | 15,703 |
| 2002 | 14,821 |
| 2001 | 16,497 |
| 2000 | 15,405 |
| 1999 | 15,981 |
| 1998 | 14,540 |
| 1997 | 12,968 |
| 1996 | 12,037 |
| 1995 | 12,091 |
| 1994 | 12,530 |
| 1993 | 12,687 |
| 1992 | 15,063 |
| 1991 | 9,763 |
| 1990 | 4,414 |
| 1989 | 2,853 |
| 1988 | 2,158 |
| 1987 | 1,997 |
| 1986 | 1,833 |
| 1985 | 1,331 |
| 1984 | 971 |
| 1983 | 777 |
| 1982 | 700 |
| 1981 | 729 |
| 1980 | 822 |
| 1979 | 639 |
| 1978 | 480 |
| 1977 | 530 |
| 1976 | 399 |
| 1975 | 453 |
| 1974 | 384 |
| 1973 | 277 |
| 1972 | 302 |
| 1971 | 257 |
| 1970 | 315 |
| 1969 | 228 |
| 1968 | 121 |
| 1967 | 63 |
| 1966 | 62 |
| 1965 | 47 |
| 1964 | 38 |
| 1963 | 33 |
| 1962 | 20 |
| 1961 | 32 |
| 1960 | 39 |
| 1959 | 30 |
| 1958 | 22 |
| 1957 | 11 |
| 1956 | 10 |
| 1955 | 12 |
| 1954 | 7 |
| 1953 | 6 |