Llewellyn Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: loo-EL-in /lʊˈɛlɪn/
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: lion-like; like a lion
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Llewellyn has its roots in the Welsh language, deriving from the elements "llyw" meaning "leader" or "guide" and "elyn" which is often interpreted as "like" or "the one who is like." This etymology suggests a meaning akin to "like a leader" or "the one who guides." The name has been recorded in various forms throughout history, including the Old Welsh "Llewelyn," which was used in medieval texts. The transition into English occurred as the name was adopted by English speakers, particularly during the Norman conquest of Wales in the 11th century, when many Welsh names were integrated into the English lexicon.
Historically, Llewellyn is notably associated with Llewellyn the Great, a prominent figure in Welsh history who ruled from the early 13th century until his death in 1240. He was a key leader in the struggle for Welsh independence against English rule and is often celebrated in Welsh folklore and literature.
His grandson, Llewellyn ap Gruffudd, also known as Llewellyn the Last, became the last sovereign Prince of Wales before the English conquest in the late 13th century. These historical figures contributed to the name's enduring significance in Welsh culture and identity.
Culturally, Llewellyn has been embraced in various forms of literature and art, symbolizing leadership, resilience, and national pride among the Welsh people. The name has also been associated with several notable literary works, including those from the medieval Welsh bards who celebrated the exploits of Welsh princes.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Llew" have emerged, reflecting the name's adaptability and continued relevance in Welsh heritage. The name Llewellyn thus carries a rich tapestry of historical and cultural significance, embodying the spirit of Welsh leadership and identity.
Famous people named Llewellyn
In this section, you will find notable people named Llewellyn. 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 Llewellyn who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Llewellyn 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.
Llewellyn is a musician best known for his work in the New Age genre and albums like 'Natural Rhythms' and 'The Sacred Fire'.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Llewellyn, 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 Llewellyn. 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 Llewellyn was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Llewellyn has ranked as high as #771 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
In the past 5 years the name Llewellyn has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Llewellyn 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 Llewellyn was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Llewellyn (1968)
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 Llewellyn.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 1999 | 9 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1995 | 11 |
| 1994 | 11 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1990 | 13 |
| 1989 | 18 |
| 1988 | 14 |
| 1987 | 16 |
| 1986 | 14 |
| 1985 | 16 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1983 | 17 |
| 1982 | 20 |
| 1981 | 15 |
| 1980 | 19 |
| 1979 | 17 |
| 1978 | 17 |
| 1977 | 19 |
| 1976 | 16 |
| 1975 | 15 |
| 1974 | 28 |
| 1973 | 32 |
| 1972 | 32 |
| 1971 | 28 |
| 1970 | 28 |
| 1969 | 22 |
| 1968 | 27 |
| 1967 | 30 |
| 1966 | 27 |
| 1965 | 26 |
| 1964 | 34 |
| 1963 | 39 |
| 1962 | 36 |
| 1961 | 37 |
| 1960 | 48 |
| 1959 | 47 |
| 1958 | 41 |
| 1957 | 47 |
| 1956 | 51 |
| 1955 | 44 |
| 1954 | 42 |
| 1953 | 35 |
| 1952 | 44 |
| 1951 | 32 |
| 1950 | 38 |
| 1949 | 39 |
| 1948 | 34 |
| 1947 | 39 |
| 1946 | 38 |
| 1945 | 25 |
| 1944 | 47 |
| 1943 | 27 |
| 1942 | 37 |
| 1941 | 40 |
| 1940 | 43 |
| 1939 | 30 |
| 1938 | 44 |
| 1937 | 46 |
| 1936 | 46 |
| 1935 | 35 |
| 1934 | 31 |
| 1933 | 43 |
| 1932 | 40 |
| 1931 | 43 |
| 1930 | 49 |
| 1929 | 57 |
| 1928 | 51 |
| 1927 | 58 |
| 1926 | 53 |
| 1925 | 50 |
| 1924 | 54 |
| 1923 | 69 |
| 1922 | 56 |
| 1921 | 65 |
| 1920 | 53 |
| 1919 | 52 |
| 1918 | 68 |
| 1917 | 64 |
| 1916 | 69 |
| 1915 | 55 |
| 1914 | 43 |
| 1913 | 30 |
| 1912 | 36 |
| 1911 | 17 |
| 1910 | 18 |
| 1909 | 10 |
| 1908 | 9 |
| 1906 | 12 |
| 1905 | 5 |
| 1904 | 11 |
| 1903 | 6 |
| 1902 | 6 |
| 1901 | 5 |
| 1899 | 9 |
| 1898 | 9 |
| 1897 | 9 |
| 1896 | 10 |
| 1895 | 10 |
| 1894 | 12 |
| 1893 | 7 |
| 1892 | 6 |
| 1891 | 5 |
| 1890 | 7 |
| 1889 | 5 |
| 1888 | 7 |
| 1887 | 7 |
| 1886 | 9 |
| 1885 | 8 |
| 1883 | 8 |
| 1882 | 11 |
| 1881 | 8 |
| 1880 | 9 |