"son of the wave, born of the sea"
Origin: Welsh mythology
Language: Welsh
Dylann
Does Dylann flow with your last name?
A Celtic wave-rider with poetic and mythological roots
Welsh
English
American
Irish
Bold
Classic
Literary
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"great tide, sea current"
Origin: Old Welsh
Language: Welsh
Browse names with similar meanings:
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Things to Know About This Name
- The -nn spelling is associated with Dylann Roof, the 2015 Charleston church shooter. Parents should be aware this specific spelling carries that association.
The Story of Dylann
Dylan derives from Welsh mythology, from the figure Dylan Eil Ton meaning Dylan, Son of the Wave. He was a divine figure who immediately swam to the sea after birth and could move through water like a fish. The name combines don meaning wave or sea with the suffix making it a powerful, elemental name rooted in Celtic mythology.
Dylan surged in popularity in the 1980s-1990s, partly inspired by poet Dylan Thomas and musician Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, who took the name from the poet). The standard Dylan spelling became a top-20 US name by the early 2000s.
Dylan is deeply embedded in Welsh cultural identity through mythology and the legacy of poet Dylan Thomas, whose Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night is one of the most quoted poems in English. The double-N spelling Dylann is uncommon.
Historical Record
Dylann first appeared in US Social Security records in 1992.
Over 381 babies have been named Dylann in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dylann is past its peak , currently ranked #6,638 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Dylan Thomas wrote some of the most celebrated poetry in the English language, including Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
- Bob Dylan took his stage name from Dylan Thomas, cementing the name culture-of-cool status
Dylann in Other Languages
Irish
Dylan
Welsh
Dylan
French
Dylan
Spanish
Dylan
Popularity Over Time
#6,638
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2015
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dylann
B
Bob Dylan
Musician
1941
American singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize laureate who took his name from Dylan Thomas
D
Dylan Thomas
Writer
1914
Welsh poet celebrated for Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night and Under Milk Wood
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Compare Dylann with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,638
- Total SSA Count
- 13
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh English American Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Dyl
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dylann
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Dylann is also used as a girl name, ranked #7196.
View Dylann as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Welsh)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dylann
What does the name Dylann mean?
"son of the wave, born of the sea" (from Welsh mythology). "great tide, sea current" (from Old Welsh). Dylan derives from Welsh mythology, from the figure Dylan Eil Ton meaning Dylan, Son of the Wave. He was a divine figure who immediately swam to the sea after birth and could move through water like a fish. The name combines don meaning wave or sea with the suffix making it a powerful, elemental name rooted in Celtic mythology.
What is the origin of the name Dylann?
Dylann has Welsh mythology, Old Welsh, Welsh, English, American, and Irish origins. In Welsh mythology, it means "son of the wave, born of the sea". In Old Welsh, it means "great tide, sea current".
Is Dylann a boy or girl name?
Dylann is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #6638. As a girl name, it is ranked #7196. Dylann is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Dylann?
Dylann is currently ranked #6638 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dylann?
Common nicknames for Dylann include Dyl.
What are good middle names for Dylann?
Popular middle name pairings include Dylann James, Dylann Cole, Dylann Lee, Dylann Thomas, Dylann Ray, Dylann Scott, and Dylann Finn.
What are good sibling names for Dylann?
Names that pair well with Dylann as siblings include Liam, Caden, Brynn, Rowan, Finley, and Maren.
How many syllables does Dylann have?
Dylann has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dylann a common or rare name?
Dylann is an uncommon name, ranked #6638 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Dylann?
About the Name Dylann
Dylann is a boy name with Welsh, English, American, and Irish origins . The name means "son of the wave, born of the sea" in Welsh mythology .
Is Dylann a boy or girl name? Dylann is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #6,638 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #7,196. Dylann is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dylann is currently ranked #6,638 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dylann has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dylann include Dyl. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dylann include Dylan, Dyland . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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