"great sea, son of the sea"
Origin: Welsh 'dy' + 'llanw'
Language: English
Dillon
Pronunciation: [ d-IHL-uhn ]
Does Dillon flow with your last name?
Born of the sea — a name with waves of depth
American
Irish
Welsh
English
Bold
Strong
Modern
Unique
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Dillon
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Dillon
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"loyal"
Origin: Irish surname origin
Language: Irish
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Dillon
See all →What the Dillon report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Dillon the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Dillon
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Dillon head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Dillon actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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.
Historical Record
Dillon first appeared in US Social Security records in 1986.
Over 1,004 babies have been named Dillon in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dillon is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,236 for girl names in the US .
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
Irish
Dillon
Welsh
Dylan
French
Dylan
Spanish
Dylan
Popularity Over Time
#3,236
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dillon
B
Bob Dylan
Musician
1941
Legendary American singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate (2016)
D
Dylan Thomas
Writer
1914
Welsh poet and prose writer famous for 'Do not go gentle into that good night' and 'Under Milk Wood'
D
Dillon from 'Power Rangers' Fictional
Other
A brooding loner and Ranger in 'Power Rangers RPM' (2009) who becomes a hero
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Keilyn
Girl
"slender and fair"
#3,405
Cailyn
Girl
"slender, fair"
#3,286
Kynleigh
Girl
"meadow clearing"
#3,332
Taylynn
Girl
"tailor's descendant"
#3,242
Stefany
Girl
"crown, wreath"
#3,129
Compare Dillon with:
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
Dill
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dillon
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Dillon fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Dillon is also used as a boy name, ranked #870.
View Dillon as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Dillon →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Dillon with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Dillon
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Dillon and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Dillon sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore 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
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Keilyn
Girl
Irish origin
"slender and fair"
#3,405 in US
Cailyn
Girl
Irish origin
"slender, fair"
#3,286 in US
Kynleigh
Girl
Modern American origin
"meadow clearing"
#3,332 in US
Taylynn
Girl
English origin
"tailor's descendant"
#3,242 in US
Stefany
Girl
Greek origin
"crown, wreath"
#3,129 in US
Kaislee
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"slender; narrow"
#3,371 in US
Callan
Girl
Celtic origin
"powerful in battle"
#3,050 in US
Colby
Girl
Norse origin
"dark farm, Cole's settlement"
#3,228 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Dillon's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dillon
What does the name Dillon mean?
"great sea, son of the sea" (from Welsh 'dy' + 'llanw'). "loyal" (from Irish surname origin). 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.
What is the origin of the name Dillon?
Dillon has Welsh 'dy' + 'llanw', Irish surname origin, American, Irish, Welsh, and English origins. In Welsh 'dy' + 'llanw', it means "great sea, son of the sea". In Irish surname origin, it means "loyal".
Is Dillon a boy or girl name?
Dillon is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3236. As a boy name, it is ranked #870. 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 #3236 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dillon?
Common nicknames for Dillon include Dill.
What are good middle names for Dillon?
Popular middle name pairings include Dillon Marie, Dillon Rose, Dillon Grace, Dillon James, Dillon Lee, and Dillon Nicole.
What are good sibling names for Dillon?
Names that pair well with Dillon as siblings include Rowan, Quinn, Morgan, Parker, Avery, and Brynn.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #3236 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
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.
Keep Exploring
Welsh 'dy' + 'llanw' Names
Browse all names with this origin
D
Names Starting with D
More girl names like Dillon
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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