"great sea, son of the sea"
Dillon
Pronunciation: [ d-IHL-uhn ]
Born of the sea — a name with waves of depth
Meaning & Origin
"loyal"
The Story of Dillon
Dillon is a variant spelling of Dylan, a Welsh name derived from the elements 'dy' (great) and 'llanw' (sea or tide), meaning 'great sea' or 'born of the sea.' In Welsh mythology, Dylan eil Ton ('Dylan, son of the wave') was a legendary sea god who, at his baptism, swam straight to the sea and could move through it as swiftly as any fish. As a girl's name, Dillon represents the growing trend of traditionally male names being used for girls.
While Dylan has been primarily male, the gender-neutral trend in American naming has seen Dillon and Dylan appear more frequently for girls since the 2000s. The appeal lies in its strong sound and association with artistic and free-spirited personalities (via Bob Dylan).
In Welsh culture, Dylan is a name of genuine mythological weight — Dylan eil Ton is one of the most evocative figures in the Mabinogion. As a girl's name, Dillon fits the American trend of gender-bending name choices.
Fun Facts
- Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) brought the name international literary prominence through his Welsh poetry
- Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman) chose the name in tribute to Dylan Thomas
- In Welsh mythology, Dylan eil Ton could swim as fast as any fish the moment he touched the sea
Dillon in Other Languages
Famous People Named Dillon
Bob Dylan
Musician
1941
Legendary American singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate (2016)
Dylan Thomas
Writer
1914
Welsh poet and prose writer famous for 'Do not go gentle into that good night' and 'Under Milk Wood'
Dillon from 'Power Rangers' Fictional
Other
A brooding loner and Ranger in 'Power Rangers RPM' (2009) who becomes a hero
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,236
- Total SSA Count
- 49
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish Welsh English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Dillon is also used as a boy name, ranked #870.
View Dillon as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dillon
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About the Name Dillon
Dillon is a girl name with American, Irish, Welsh, and English origins . The name means "great sea, son of the sea" in Welsh 'dy' + 'llanw' .
Is Dillon a boy or girl name? Dillon is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,236 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #870. Dillon is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dillon is currently ranked #3,236 in popularity for girl 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 Dill. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.