Dylan Unisex

Popularity: #28 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationDIL-an / /ˈdɪlən/

Welsh; Irish

Meaning

Welsh: son of the sea; Irish: born near the sea

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dylan has Welsh origins, derived from the word 'dy' meaning 'great' and 'llanw' meaning 'tide' or 'flow'. It gained popularity in the 20th century, partly due to the influence of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. The name is also associated with the sea, reflecting a connection to nature and mythology. In Irish culture, it is linked to the sea as well, emphasizing its maritime significance.

Trend Summary

Dylan has consistently ranked among the popular names for boys in the United States since the 1990s.

Similar Names

DamonDustinDorianDeclanDariusDawsonDante

Variants

  • Dillan
  • Dilan

International Variants

  • Dilan (Turkish)
  • Dylan (English)
  • Dyllan (Welsh)

Famous people named Dylan

Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet known for his influential works in the 20th century.

Dylan O'Brien is an American actor known for his roles in 'Teen Wolf' and 'The Maze Runner' series.

Dylan Baker is an American actor known for his performances in film and television, including 'Planes Trains and Automobiles'.

Fictional characters named Dylan

Dylan McKay is a character from the television series 'Beverly Hills, 90210', known for his rebellious nature.

Dylan is a character in the animated series 'Total Drama', known for his competitive spirit.

Sibling Suggestions

RyanLoganEthanLiamAidanNoah

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)

Top States for Dylan (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 1,109
16%
TX 1,064
15%
FL 743
11%
NY 526
8%
GA 270
4%
IL 266
4%
VA 231
3%
NC 215
3%
MD 202
3%
PA 180
3%
TN 156
2%
AZ 138
2%
MA 136
2%
WA 135
2%
OH 127
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19536
19547
195512
195610
195711
195822
195930
196039
196132
196220
196333
196438
196547
196662
196763
1968121
1969228
1970315
1971257
1972302
1973277
1974384
1975453
1976399
1977530
1978480
1979639
1980822
1981729
1982700
1983777
1984971
19851,331
19861,833
19871,997
19882,158
19892,853
19904,414
19919,763
199215,063
199312,687
199412,530
199512,091
199612,037
199712,968
199814,540
199915,981
200015,405
200116,497
200214,821
200315,703
200414,852
200513,782
200613,171
200712,811
200811,707
200911,372
201010,518
20119,790
201210,000
201310,127
201410,416
201510,298
20169,719
20179,315
20188,610
20197,555
20206,855
20216,762
20226,738
20237,072
20247,464