"lion-like"
Origin: Welsh
Language: English
Llewellyn
Pronunciation: [ l-oo-EHL-ihn ]
Does Llewellyn flow with your last name?
The ancient Welsh name of kings and princes
Welsh
British
Celtic
Vintage
Strong
Literary
Royal
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Llewellyn
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Llewellyn
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"resembling the bright one"
Origin: Old Welsh
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Llewellyn
See all →What the Llewellyn report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Llewellyn 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 Llewellyn
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Llewellyn head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Llewellyn 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 Llewellyn
Llewellyn is one of Wales' most ancient and distinguished names, derived from the Old Welsh Llywelyn. The name combines llyw (leader, ruler) with the element ellyn, possibly related to the Welsh word for lion. It has been borne by some of Wales' greatest historical figures, making it a name synonymous with Welsh national pride and Celtic heritage.
Llewellyn was at its peak usage in Wales and Welsh diaspora communities in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today it remains a distinctively Welsh choice, beloved by families wanting to honor their Celtic roots or make a bold statement with an unusual, historically rich name.
Llewellyn the Great (1173-1240) unified much of Wales and is considered one of the nation's greatest rulers. Llewellyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales, was killed in 1282 — making the name deeply tied to Welsh sovereignty and identity.
Historical Record
Llewellyn first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,384 babies have been named Llewellyn in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Llewellyn is past its peak , currently ranked #6,540 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Llewellyn the Great is considered one of the greatest Welsh rulers of the medieval period
- The distinctive double-L (Ll) in Welsh represents a unique sound not found in most other languages
- The name survived Viking and Norman invasions to remain a symbol of Welsh cultural continuity
Llewellyn in Other Languages
Irish
Llewelynd
Latin
Lewelinus
Welsh
Llywelyn
French
Llewellyn
English
Llewelyn
Popularity Over Time
#6,540
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1956
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Llewellyn
L
Llewelyn Powys
Writer
1884
Welsh author and essayist known for his lyrical nature writing
L
Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llewellyn the Great)
Royalty
1173
Prince of Gwynedd who united Wales and is considered one of its greatest rulers
L
Llewelyn Moss Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men, a resourceful man caught in a deadly chase
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Zachari
Boy
"He whom Yahweh remembered"
#6,429
Aemon
Boy
"wealthy protector"
#6,662
Emric
Boy
"home ruler, powerful"
#6,509
Rees
Boy
"enthusiasm, ardor, passion"
#6,353
Bransyn
Boy
"raven"
#6,510
Compare Llewellyn with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #6,540
- Total SSA Count
- 13
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh British Celtic
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Llew
Lew
Lyn
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Welsh heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Welsh heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Llewellyn
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Llewellyn fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Llewellyn is also used as a girl name, ranked #38617.
View Llewellyn as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Llewellyn →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 Llewellyn with...
Same Origin Names (Welsh)
See all Welsh names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Llewellyn
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Llewellyn and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Llewellyn 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 →
Zachari
Boy
Biblical Hebrew origin
"He whom Yahweh remembered"
#6,429 in US
Aemon
Boy
Old English via Irish origin
"wealthy protector"
#6,662 in US
Emric
Boy
Germanic heim + ric origin
"home ruler, powerful"
#6,509 in US
Rees
Boy
Old Welsh origin
"enthusiasm, ardor, passion"
#6,353 in US
Bransyn
Boy
Welsh/Celtic origin
"raven"
#6,510 in US
Dyce
Boy
Scottish topographic origin
"from Dyce, Aberdeenshire"
#6,523 in US
Rhysand
Boy
Welsh Rhys + invented -and suffix origin
"ardor, enthusiasm (from Welsh Rhys)"
#6,512 in US
Coopar
Boy
Middle Dutch origin
"Craftsman; skilled tradesperson"
#6,428 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Llewellyn's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Llewellyn
What does the name Llewellyn mean?
"lion-like" (from Welsh). "resembling the bright one" (from Old Welsh). Llewellyn is one of Wales' most ancient and distinguished names, derived from the Old Welsh Llywelyn. The name combines llyw (leader, ruler) with the element ellyn, possibly related to the Welsh word for lion. It has been borne by some of Wales' greatest historical figures, making it a name synonymous with Welsh national pride and Celtic heritage.
What is the origin of the name Llewellyn?
Llewellyn has Welsh, Old Welsh, British, and Celtic origins. In Welsh, it means "lion-like". In Old Welsh, it means "resembling the bright one".
Is Llewellyn a boy or girl name?
Llewellyn is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #6540. As a girl name, it is ranked #38617. Llewellyn is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Llewellyn?
Llewellyn is pronounced l-oo-EHL-ihn.
How popular is the name Llewellyn?
Llewellyn is currently ranked #6540 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Llewellyn?
Common nicknames for Llewellyn include Llew, Lew, and Lyn.
What are good middle names for Llewellyn?
Popular middle name pairings include Llewellyn Arthur, Llewellyn Rhys, Llewellyn Morgan, Llewellyn Emrys, and Llewellyn Hugh.
What are good sibling names for Llewellyn?
Names that pair well with Llewellyn as siblings include Rhiannon, Owain, Branwen, Gareth, and Seren.
How many syllables does Llewellyn have?
Llewellyn has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Llewellyn a common or rare name?
Llewellyn is an uncommon name, ranked #6540 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Llewellyn?
About the Name Llewellyn
Llewellyn is a boy name with Welsh, British, and Celtic origins . The name means "lion-like" in Welsh .
Is Llewellyn a boy or girl name? Llewellyn is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #6,540 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #38,617. Llewellyn is more commonly used as a boy name.
Llewellyn is currently ranked #6,540 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Llewellyn has 3 syllables and is pronounced l-oo-EHL-ihn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Llewellyn include Llew, Lew, and Lyn. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Llewellyn include Llewyn, Llewelyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Welsh Names
Browse all names with this origin
L
Names Starting with L
More boy names like Llewellyn
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 Boy 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