Dylan Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Dylan Name Meaning

Fact: In Welsh mythology, Dylan was a god of the sea.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Dylan Overview

Meaning

Son of the sea, born from the ocean, great tide

Gender

Boy, Gender-neutral

Origin

Welsh

Etymology

Derived from Welsh elements “dy” (great) and “llanw” (tide, flow)

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈdɪlən/

Popularity

Consistently popular in many English-speaking countries, peaking in the 1990s and early 2000s. Still a popular choice in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

2 (Cooperative, Adaptable, Considerate)

Name Styles

Modern, Cool, Short, Nature-inspired, Cute

Associated Traits

Creative, adventurous, independent

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Symbolizes the power and mystery of the sea​

Name Day

October 10th
A Deep Dive

Dylan Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Dillon, Dillan, Dyllan, Dillen, Dyllon, Dylen, Dylin, Dylun, Dylahn, Dylann

Common Nicknames

Dyl, Dilly, Dee, Dilly Dally, Dylanator, Dyl-Dyl, Dylbo, Dylbear

Diminutives

Dyl, Dilly, Dee

Famous People

  • Bob Dylan
    (American Singer-songwriter)
  • Dylan Thomas
    (Welsh Poet)
  • Dylan O'Brien
    (American Actor)
  • Dylan McDermott
    (American Actor)
  • Dylan Sprouse
    (American Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Dylan McKay
    ("Beverly Hills 90210," TV Series)
  • Dylan Rhodes
    ("Now You See Me," Film)
  • Dylan Massett
    ("Bates Motel," TV Series)
  • "Dylan Dog"
    (Comic Series)
  • Dylan Reinhart
    ("Instinct," TV Series)

Places

  • Dylan Thomas Birthplace
    (Swansea, Wales)
  • Dylan’s Candy Bar
    (New York City, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Dylan?

Dylan means “son of the sea” or “born from the ocean” or “great tide.” People with this name often exhibit qualities associated with the sea, such as depth, calmness, and a free-spirited nature. They are typically seen as strong, adaptable, and intuitive individuals.

What Is the Origin of The Name Dylan?

Dylan originates from the Welsh words “dy” (great) and “llanw” (flow). It also comes from Welsh mythology, where Dylan ail Don was a god of the sea, capable of swimming like a fish immediately after birth.

Dylan Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Dylan in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#442021#422022#342023
Top 3 Rankings#192003#192004#212001

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Dylan

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202334
(+8 from 2022)
7054
(+330 from 2022)
0.38522
202242
(+2 from 2021)
6724
(-35 from 2021)
0.35900
202144
(-2 from 2020)
6759
(-92 from 2020)
0.36075
202042
(-3 from 2019)
6851
(-703 from 2019)
0.37039
201939
(-8 from 2018)
7554
(-1052 from 2018)
0.39307
201831
(-2 from 2017)
8606
(-709 from 2017)
0.44275
201729
(+3 from 2016)
9315
(-401 from 2016)
0.47066
201632
(-5 from 2015)
9716
(-580 from 2015)
0.47965
201527
(+2 from 2014)
10296
(-120 from 2014)
0.50361
201429
No change from 2013
10416
(+290 from 2013)
0.50829
201329
(+2 from 2012)
10126
(+126 from 2012)
0.50111
201231
(+2 from 2011)
10000
(+213 from 2011)
0.49281
201133
(-2 from 2010)
9787
(-731 from 2010)
0.48178
201031
(-1 from 2009)
10518
(-853 from 2009)
0.51197
200930
(+1 from 2008)
11371
(-335 from 2008)
0.53614
200831
(-2 from 2007)
11706
(-1105 from 2007)
0.53687
200729
(-3 from 2006)
12811
(-360 from 2006)
0.57836
200626
(-2 from 2005)
13171
(-610 from 2005)
0.60077
200524
(-5 from 2004)
13781
(-1070 from 2004)
0.64780
200419
No change from 2003
14851
(-852 from 2003)
0.70272
200319
(+4 from 2002)
15703
(+882 from 2002)
0.74735
200223
(-2 from 2001)
14821
(-1676 from 2001)
0.71715
200121
(+3 from 2000)
16497
(+1092 from 2000)
0.79757
200024
(-1 from 1999)
15405
(-575 from 1999)
0.73767
199923
(+2 from 1998)
15980
(+1440 from 1998)
0.78372
199825
(+5 from 1997)
14540
(+1572 from 1997)
0.71709
199730
(+3 from 1996)
12968
(+932 from 1996)
0.64912
199633
(+1 from 1995)
12036
(-53 from 1995)
0.60068
199534
(-2 from 1994)
12089
(-441 from 1994)
0.60103
199432
No change from 1993
12530
(-157 from 1993)
0.61471
199332
(-4 from 1992)
12687
(-2376 from 1992)
0.61423
199228
(+18 from 1991)
15063
(+5300 from 1991)
0.71757
199146
(+37 from 1990)
9763
(+5349 from 1990)
0.46059
199083
(+32 from 1989)
4414
(+1561 from 1989)
0.20511
1989115
(+22 from 1988)
2853
(+695 from 1988)
0.13612
1988137
(+4 from 1987)
2158
(+161 from 1987)
0.10778
1987141
(+8 from 1986)
1997
(+164 from 1986)
0.10240
1986149
(+39 from 1985)
1833
(+502 from 1985)
0.09538
1985188
(+43 from 1984)
1331
(+360 from 1984)
0.06916
1984231
(+35 from 1983)
971
(+194 from 1983)
0.05174
1983266
(+24 from 1982)
777
(+77 from 1982)
0.04169
1982290
(-7 from 1981)
700
(-31 from 1981)
0.03709
1981283
(-19 from 1980)
731
(-92 from 1980)
0.03925
1980264
(+41 from 1979)
823
(+184 from 1979)
0.04437
1979305
(+46 from 1978)
639
(+159 from 1978)
0.03567
1978351
(-13 from 1977)
480
(-50 from 1977)
0.02809
1977338
(+48 from 1976)
530
(+131 from 1976)
0.03101
1976386
(-21 from 1975)
399
(-55 from 1975)
0.02444
1975365
(+30 from 1974)
454
(+70 from 1974)
0.02798
1974395
(+78 from 1973)
384
(+107 from 1973)
0.02355
1973473
(-19 from 1972)
277
(-25 from 1972)
0.01717
1972454
(+54 from 1971)
302
(+45 from 1971)
0.01804
1971508
(-51 from 1970)
257
(-58 from 1970)
0.01414
1970457
(+57 from 1969)
315
(+87 from 1969)
0.01654
1969514
(+171 from 1968)
228
(+107 from 1968)
0.01246
1968685
(+225 from 1967)
121
(+58 from 1967)
0.00682
1967910
(+16 from 1966)
63
(+1 from 1966)
0.00354
1966926
(+154 from 1965)
62
(+15 from 1965)
0.00341
19651080
(+183 from 1964)
47
(+9 from 1964)
0.00248
19641263
(+90 from 1963)
38
(+5 from 1963)
0.00187
19631353
(+452 from 1962)
33
(+13 from 1962)
0.00160
19621805
(-398 from 1961)
20
(-12 from 1961)
0.00095
19611407
(-155 from 1960)
32
(-7 from 1960)
0.00148
19601252
(+187 from 1959)
39
(+9 from 1959)
0.00180
19591439
(+237 from 1958)
30
(+8 from 1958)
0.00138
19581676
(+821 from 1957)
22
(+11 from 1957)
0.00102
19572497
(+132 from 1956)
11
(+1 from 1956)
0.00050
19562629
(-326 from 1955)
10
(-2 from 1955)
0.00047
19552303
(+872 from 1954)
12
(+5 from 1954)
0.00057
19543175
(+248 from 1953)
7
(+1 from 1953)
0.00034
19533423
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00030
19520
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19510
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19500
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19490
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19480
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19470
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19460
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19450
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19440
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19430
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19420
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19410
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19400
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19390
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19380
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19370
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19360
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19350
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19340
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19330
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19320
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19310
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19300
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19290
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19280
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19270
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19260
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19250
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19240
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19230
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19220
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19210
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19200
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19190
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19180
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19170
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19150
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Dylan

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#282021#242022#222023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#312021#292022#142023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#192021#152022#192023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#112021#62022#62023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#582021#512022#672023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#442021#392022#402023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1092021#882022#782023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#142021#162022#132023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1022021#1092022#872023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#532021#602022#492023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#402021#602022#322023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#382021#352022#332023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#382021#372022#312023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1022021#1112022#672023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#542021#492022#582023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#522021#462022#372023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1072021#832022#672023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1322021#1152022#1142023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#632021#732022#672023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#992021#972022#1392023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#102021#122022#62023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#702021#472022#462023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#552021#782022#482023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#882021#732022#562023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#932021#882022#812023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#402021#452022#332023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#692021#842022#302023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#712021#842022#822023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#822021#852022#792023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#642021#752022#612023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1112021#992022#1312023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#762021#952022#482023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#862021#692022#722023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#562021#562022#282023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#632021#762022#392023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#802021#1082022#652023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1772021#2112022#2742023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#542021#552022#702023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1282021#2492022#2082023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1522021#1022022#662023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1192021#1872022#1372023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#682021#1222022#1372023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#802021#192022#232023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1192021#1152022#902023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1632021#1522022#2232023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#542021#472022#632023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1492019#1552021#2402022

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#462016#572019#822020

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1362020#1552022#1282023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#152021#222022#282023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#862015#562016#962021

Popularity Rankings for Dylan in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#62021#72022#72023

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#212020#262021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#262021#332022#412023

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#392020#302021#452022

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#332020#322021#382022

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#342016#632017#352018

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#542019#582020#472021

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#522013#582014#612015

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#542019#552020#572021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#552020#652021#772022

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#982019#702020#682021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#712020#702021#1232022

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#812021#912022#762023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#802019#932020#912022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#832021#812022#982023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#812021#1152022#982023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#952021#922022#1312023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1062021#1022022#1262023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1462017#1662018#1732019

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1552011#1662012#1742015

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#1792022#1742023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3292021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3382021#3992022#3512023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3542021#3752022#3912023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Dylan a Name for Boys or Girls?

Dylan is a unisex name, though it is more commonly used for boys. It has been popular for boys since the 1960s and has consistently ranked highly in baby name charts. However, it is also used for girls and has been gaining popularity in recent year.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Dylan

Dylan in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Bob Dylan (Singer-songwriter, born 1941): An iconic American musician and Nobel Prize-winning poet known for influential songs like "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Like a Rolling Stone." He was born in Duluth, Minnesota.
  • Dylan Thomas (Poet, 1914-1953): A Welsh poet famous for works such as "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" and "Under Milk Wood." His lyrical and emotive poetry has left a lasting impact on the literary world.
  • Dylan O'Brien (Actor, born 1991): An American actor known for his roles in the TV series "Teen Wolf" and the "Maze Runner" film series. He has also starred in movies like "American Assassin."
  • Dylan McDermott (Actor, born 1961): An American actor recognized for his role in the TV series "The Practice," which earned him a Golden Globe Award. He also starred in "American Horror Story."
  • Dylan Sprouse (Actor, born 1992): An American actor known for his role in the Disney Channel series "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," alongside his twin brother Cole Sprouse.
  • Dylan Minnette (Actor, born 1996): An American actor and musician best known for his role as Clay Jensen in the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why." He has also appeared in films like "Goosebumps" and "Don't Breathe."
  • Dylan Sprayberry (Actor, born 1998): An American actor known for playing the young Clark Kent in "Man of Steel" and Liam Dunbar in the TV series "Teen Wolf."
  • Dylan Moran (Comedian, born 1971): An Irish comedian, writer, actor, and filmmaker, best known for his stand-up comedy and for creating and starring in the TV series "Black Books."
  • Dylan Frances Penn (Model, born 1991): An American model and actress, the daughter of Sean Penn and Robin Wright.
  • Dylan Larkin (hockey player, born 1996): An American professional ice hockey player who serves as the captain of the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL.
  • Dylan McKay ("Beverly Hills 90210," 1990 TV Series): A main character known for his rebellious attitude and romantic entanglements, portrayed by Luke Perry.
  • Dylan Rhodes ("Now You See Me," 2013 Film): A character played by Mark Ruffalo who is an FBI agent deeply involved in the mystery and intrigue surrounding a group of illusionists.
  • Dylan Massett ("Bates Motel," 2013 TV Series): Portrayed by Max Thieriot, Dylan is a complex character in this psychological horror drama, which serves as a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film, "Psycho."
  • "Dylan Dog" (1986 Comic Series): The title character of a popular Italian horror comic series, which later inspired a film adaptation titled "Dylan Dog: Dead of Night" in 2011.
  • Dylan Reinhart ("Instinct," 2018 TV Series): A former CIA operative turned university professor and author, played by Alan Cumming, who is pulled back into his old life to help stop a serial killer.
  • Dylan Mayfair ("Desperate Housewives," 2004 TV Series): Introduced in the fourth season, involved in mystery and drama.
  • Dylan Thomas Birthplace (Swansea, Wales): The house where poet Dylan Thomas was born and lived, now a museum showcasing his early life and works.
  • Dylan’s Candy Bar (New York City, USA): A famous candy store offering a wide variety of sweets, founded by Dylan Lauren.

Similar Names to Dylan

Sibling Names for Dylan