"son of the sea, great tide"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
Dylan
Pronunciation: [ d-IHL-uhn ]
Girl Name
#696 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A Welsh sea deity beloved by poets and rock stars
Welsh
American
English
Irish
Strong
Literary
Modern
Bold
Earthy
Meaning & Origin
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.
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
Famous People Named Dylan
D
Dylan Farrow
Other
1985
American writer and daughter of actress Mia Farrow
B
Bob Dylan
Musician
1941
American singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate who took his name from Dylan Thomas
D
Dylan Thomas
Writer
1914
Welsh poet known for Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night and the play for voices Under Milk Wood
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
Pairs Well With
Dylan Grace
Dylan Marie
Dylan Rose
Dylan Faith
Dylan Ann
Dylan Jo
Dylan Morgan
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Dylan is also used as a boy name, ranked #28.
View Dylan as a boy 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, 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.