"son of the sea, great tide"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
Dylan
Pronunciation: [ d-IHL-uhn ]
Does Dylan flow with your last name?
A Welsh sea deity beloved by poets and rock stars
Welsh
American
English
Irish
Strong
Literary
Modern
Bold
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Dylan
Dylan comes from Welsh mythology — Dylan ail Don was a sea deity in the Mabinogion, the ancient collection of Welsh myths. His name means 'son of the sea' or 'great tide.' The name was popularized worldwide by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953), whose passionate, lyrical verse made the name synonymous with artistic genius. Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman) further immortalized it by adopting Dylan as his stage name in honor of Dylan Thomas.
Dylan's rise for girls began in the 1990s as gender-neutral naming trends grew. Beverly Hills 90210's Dylan McKay (played by Luke Perry) and the general cultural prestige of the Dylan name drove its surge across genders. For girls, it projects strength and literary cool simultaneously.
Dylan carries enormous literary and musical prestige through Dylan Thomas and Bob Dylan. In Wales, it retains mythological significance as a sea deity's name. As a girl's name, it represents a breaking of gender conventions in naming, associated with parents who value strength and individuality.
Historical Record
Dylan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1967.
Over 15,929 babies have been named Dylan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dylan is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #696 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Bob Dylan's real name is Robert Allen Zimmerman; he chose Dylan in honor of poet Dylan Thomas
- Dylan Thomas wrote 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' (1951), one of the most quoted poems in the English language
- In Welsh mythology, Dylan ail Don was so at home in the sea that the waves mourned his death
Dylan in Other Languages
Welsh
Dylen
French
Dylan
Spanish
Dylan
Japanese
ディラン
Popularity Over Time
#696
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #696
- Total SSA Count
- 404
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh American English Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Dyl
Dilly
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American 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, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dylan
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Dylan is also used as a boy name, ranked #28.
View Dylan as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Welsh)
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Old English ceol plus sige origin
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Scandinavian origin
"life"
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Theodora
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Greek origin
"divine gift"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dylan
What does the name Dylan mean?
"son of the sea, great tide" (from Welsh). Dylan comes from Welsh mythology — Dylan ail Don was a sea deity in the Mabinogion, the ancient collection of Welsh myths. His name means 'son of the sea' or 'great tide.' The name was popularized worldwide by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953), whose passionate, lyrical verse made the name synonymous with artistic genius. Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman) further immortalized it by adopting Dylan as his stage name in honor of Dylan Thomas.
What is the origin of the name Dylan?
Dylan has Welsh, American, English, and Irish origins. In Welsh, it means "son of the sea, great tide".
Is Dylan a boy or girl name?
Dylan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #696. As a boy name, it is ranked #28. 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 #696 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dylan?
Common nicknames for Dylan include Dyl and Dilly.
What are good middle names for Dylan?
Popular middle name pairings include Dylan Grace, Dylan Marie, Dylan Rose, Dylan Faith, Dylan Ann, Dylan Jo, and Dylan Morgan.
What are good sibling names for Dylan?
Names that pair well with Dylan as siblings include Quinn, Jordan, Riley, Morgan, Parker, Emery, and Avery.
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 moderately common, ranked #696 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Dylan
Dylan is a girl name with Welsh, American, English, and Irish origins . The name means "son of the sea, great tide" in Welsh .
Is Dylan a boy or girl name? Dylan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #696 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28. Dylan is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dylan is currently ranked #696 in popularity for girl 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 and Dilly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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