Tristan Unisex

Popularity: #252 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationTRIS-tan / /ˈtrɪstən/

Latin; Celtic; Old French

Meaning

Latin: tumult; Celtic: sad; Old French: outcry

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tristan has roots in Latin and Celtic traditions, often associated with the legend of Tristan and Isolde, a tale of tragic romance. This legend has influenced literature and art throughout the centuries. The name gained popularity in medieval Europe, particularly in France and England. It has been used in various forms across different cultures.

Trend Summary

Tristan has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Trist
  • Tristian

International Variants

  • Tristán (Spanish)
  • Tristan (French)
  • Tristão (Portuguese)

Famous people named Tristan

Tristan Tzara was a Romanian avant-garde poet and one of the founders of the Dada movement.

Tristan da Cunha is the name of a remote volcanic archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, named after the explorer.

Tristan Thompson is a Canadian professional basketball player known for his time in the NBA.

Tristan Wilds is an American actor and musician, recognized for his role in the television series 'The Wire'.

Fictional characters named Tristan

Tristan is a character in the legend of Tristan and Isolde, a tale of tragic love.

Tristan is a character in the animated film 'How to Train Your Dragon', known for his bravery.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tristan was first seen in the United States in 1946. Tristan has ranked as high as #120 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Georgia. In the past 5 years the name Tristan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Tristan (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 138
11%
TX 124
10%
FL 89
7%
NY 82
7%
GA 57
5%
PA 52
4%
VA 49
4%
NC 49
4%
IL 42
3%
MI 42
3%
OH 41
3%
MD 32
3%
AL 31
3%
SC 27
2%
TN 27
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19465
19489
19495
19507
19517
195212
19539
19545
19559
195615
19577
19586
195912
196010
196113
196222
196326
196417
196522
196634
196729
196849
196950
197063
197190
197277
197372
197495
1975113
1976110
1977118
1978132
1979167
1980208
1981400
1982762
1983855
1984873
19851,061
1986923
1987934
1988803
1989764
1990753
1991724
1992622
1993567
1994492
19953,088
19965,458
19974,197
19984,169
19993,844
20003,531
20013,575
20023,725
20033,634
20043,481
20053,591
20065,414
20075,340
20085,659
20095,349
20104,898
20114,731
20124,439
20134,015
20143,927
20153,926
20163,636
20173,308
20183,229
20192,569
20202,124
20211,822
20221,600
20231,379
20241,296