Dillon

Pronunciation: [ d-IHL-uhn ]

Boy Name #870 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Lion-hearted and sea-born — Irish grit with Western swagger

Irish Welsh American English

Classic Earthy Bold Strong Playful

Meaning & Origin

"great tide, son of the sea"

Origin: Welsh

Language: Welsh

"from the city of lions"

Origin: Old French

Language: French

"loyal"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

The Story of Dillon

Dillon is primarily an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Diolun, itself thought to derive from the Welsh Dylon or Dylan, meaning great sea or son of the sea. Alternatively, it connects to the Old French de Leon, meaning from the city of Lyon, referring to the lion (leon). In Ireland, Dillon became a prominent Anglo-Norman surname after the Dillon family arrived with the Norman invasion. As a first name, Dillon is a variant spelling of Dylan.

Dillon gained traction as a given name in America during the 1990s, partly as a variant of the more common Dylan, and partly from the TV Western Gunsmoke, whose main character was Marshal Matt Dillon. It has remained a steady mid-tier choice with strong appeal in Irish-American families.

In Irish history, the Dillon family were powerful Anglo-Norman lords known as the Dillons of Westmeath. Marshal Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke, one of television's most iconic Western characters, gave the name a rugged, lawman quality in American consciousness.

Fun Facts

Marshal Matt Dillon was the protagonist of Gunsmoke, one of the longest-running TV Westerns in history
The Dylan Thomas connection gives the name literary prestige even in its alternate Dillon spelling

Dillon in Other Languages

Irish Diolun

Welsh Dylan

French Dillon

English Dillon

Spanish Dillon

Famous People Named Dillon

Matt Dillon

Actor

1964

American actor known for Drugstore Cowboy, There's Something About Mary, and Crash

Marshal Matt Dillon Fictional

Other

The iconic fictional lawman of Gunsmoke, one of the most beloved Western TV characters in American history

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #870
Total SSA Count: 276
Cultural Origins: Irish Welsh American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Dillan #2887

Common Nicknames

Dil Dilly

Pairs Well With

Dillon James Dillon Ray Dillon Cole Dillon Scott Dillon Wayne Dillon Lee

Sibling Names

Connor Liam Shannon Erin Brady Keira

Also a Girl Name

Dillon is also used as a girl name, ranked #3236.

View Dillon as a girl name →

Similar Names

Dallas Colin Nolan Milan Mylan Declan Tylan Rylan

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Dillon and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Dillon sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Dillon

What does the name Dillon mean?

"great tide, son of the sea" (from Welsh). "from the city of lions" (from Old French). "loyal" (from Irish Gaelic). Dillon is primarily an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Diolun, itself thought to derive from the Welsh Dylon or Dylan, meaning great sea or son of the sea. Alternatively, it connects to the Old French de Leon, meaning from the city of Lyon, referring to the lion (leon). In Ireland, Dillon became a prominent Anglo-Norman surname after the Dillon family arrived with the Norman invasion. As a first name, Dillon is a variant spelling of Dylan.

What is the origin of the name Dillon?

Dillon has Welsh, Old French, Irish Gaelic, Irish, American, and English origins. In Welsh, it means "great tide, son of the sea". In Old French, it means "from the city of lions". In Irish Gaelic, it means "loyal".

Is Dillon a boy or girl name?

Dillon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #870. As a girl name, it is ranked #3236. Dillon is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Dillon?

Dillon is pronounced d-IHL-uhn.

How popular is the name Dillon?

Dillon is currently ranked #870 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Dillon?

Common nicknames for Dillon include Dil and Dilly.

What are good middle names for Dillon?

Popular middle name pairings include Dillon James, Dillon Ray, Dillon Cole, Dillon Scott, Dillon Wayne, and Dillon Lee.

What are good sibling names for Dillon?

Names that pair well with Dillon as siblings include Connor, Liam, Shannon, Erin, Brady, and Keira.

How many syllables does Dillon have?

Dillon has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Dillon a common or rare name?

Dillon is moderately common, ranked #870 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Dillon

Dillon is a boy name with Irish, Welsh, American, and English origins . The name means "great tide, son of the sea" in Welsh .

Is Dillon a boy or girl name? Dillon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #870 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,236. Dillon is more commonly used as a boy name.

Dillon is currently ranked #870 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Dillon has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-IHL-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Dillon include Dil and Dilly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Dillon include Dillan . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.