"son of the sea"
Origin: Welsh mythology
Language: Welsh
Dylan
Pronunciation: [ d-IHL-uhn ]
Boy Name
#28 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A Welsh sea god's name beloved by poets and rock legends
Welsh
English
American
Irish
Earthy
Bold
Literary
Vintage
Strong
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
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.
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
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
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
Common Nicknames
Dyl
Pairs Well With
Dylan James
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Lee
Dylan Ryan
Dylan Paul
Dylan Michael
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Dylan is also used as a girl name, ranked #696.
View Dylan as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.