"son of the sea"
Origin: Welsh mythology
Language: Welsh
Dylan
Pronunciation: [ d-IHL-uhn ]
Does Dylan flow with your last name?
A Welsh sea god's name beloved by poets and rock legends
Welsh
English
American
Irish
Earthy
Bold
Literary
Vintage
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"great tide, wave"
Origin: Welsh dwy and llanw
Language: Welsh
"son of the sea, great tide"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
"great wave"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Welsh
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The Story of Dylan
Dylan comes from the Welsh mythological figure Dylan ail Don ('Dylan, son of the Wave'), from the Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh medieval tales. The name derives from 'dy' (great) and 'llanw' (sea, tide), meaning 'great sea' or 'son of the sea.' In the myth, Dylan was immediately at home in the ocean after birth, a god-like figure of the sea.
Dylan became a popular given name mid-20th century, largely inspired by poet Dylan Thomas, and surged further in the 1960s when Robert Zimmerman adopted the stage name Bob Dylan in honor of the Welsh poet. It has remained a reliable top-40 name for decades.
Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet famous for 'Do not go gentle into that good night,' is one of the 20th century's most celebrated poets. Bob Dylan, who borrowed the name, went on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature — making Dylan one of the few names associated with two Nobel-caliber literary figures.
Historical Record
Dylan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1953.
Over 412,422 babies have been named Dylan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dylan is a steady classic , currently ranked #28 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Bob Dylan was born Robert Zimmerman and chose the name Dylan in honor of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas
- Dylan ail Don is one of the mythological figures in the ancient Welsh epic the Mabinogion
Dylan in Other Languages
Irish
Dylan
Welsh
Dylan
French
Dylan
Spanish
Dylan
Japanese
Diran
Popularity Over Time
#28
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dylan
D
Dylan O'Brien
Actor
1991
American actor known for Teen Wolf and the Maze Runner film series
B
Bob Dylan
Musician
1941
American singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th cen...
American singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century
D
Dylan Thomas
Writer
1914
Welsh poet known for 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' and Under Milk Wood
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Compare Dylan with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #28
- Total SSA Count
- 7,464
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh English American Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Dyl
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dylan
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Dylan
Phonetic neighbors that share Dylan's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Dylan is also used as a girl name, ranked #696.
View Dylan as a girl name →Similar Names
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Compare Dylan with...
Same Origin Names (Welsh)
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Latin geographical origin
"from Lucania"
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Old French origin
"stoneworker, bricklayer"
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"name of God"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dylan
What does the name Dylan mean?
"son of the sea" (from Welsh mythology). "great tide, wave" (from Welsh dwy and llanw). "son of the sea, great tide" (from Welsh). "great wave" (from Celtic). Dylan comes from the Welsh mythological figure Dylan ail Don ('Dylan, son of the Wave'), from the Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh medieval tales. The name derives from 'dy' (great) and 'llanw' (sea, tide), meaning 'great sea' or 'son of the sea.' In the myth, Dylan was immediately at home in the ocean after birth, a god-like figure of the sea.
What is the origin of the name Dylan?
Dylan has Welsh mythology, Welsh dwy and llanw, Welsh, Celtic, English, American, and Irish origins. In Welsh mythology, it means "son of the sea". In Welsh dwy and llanw, it means "great tide, wave". In Welsh, it means "son of the sea, great tide". In Celtic, it means "great wave".
Is Dylan a boy or girl name?
Dylan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #28. As a girl name, it is ranked #696. Dylan is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Dylan?
Dylan is pronounced d-IHL-uhn.
How popular is the name Dylan?
Dylan is currently ranked #28 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dylan?
Common nicknames for Dylan include Dyl.
What are good middle names for Dylan?
Popular middle name pairings include Dylan James, Dylan Thomas, Dylan Lee, Dylan Ryan, Dylan Paul, and Dylan Michael.
What are good sibling names for Dylan?
Names that pair well with Dylan as siblings include Owen, Rowan, Nora, Fiona, Callum, and Brynn.
How many syllables does Dylan have?
Dylan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dylan a common or rare name?
Dylan is a very popular name, ranked #28 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Dylan?
Are there other spellings for Dylan?
Related spellings include Dyland.
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Dylan
Dylan is a boy name with Welsh, English, American, and Irish origins . The name means "son of the sea" in Welsh mythology .
Is Dylan a boy or girl name? Dylan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #28 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #696. Dylan is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dylan is currently ranked #28 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dylan has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-IHL-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dylan include Dyl. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dylan include Dyland . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis