Tristan Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Tristan Name Meaning

Fact: The name Tristan is best known from the Arthurian legend, where Tristan is one of the Knights of the Round Table and the lover of Isolde.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Tristan Overview

Meaning

Sad, sorrowful

Gender

Boy, Gender-neutral

Origin

Celtic

Etymology

Derived from the Old Welsh name “Drystan,” with Celtic origins. Popularized by the medieval legend of Tristan and Iseult.

Pronunciation

/ˈtrɪstən/

Popularity

Tristan is cherished in France, Germany, and English-speaking countries. In 2023, Tristan ranked #123 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

11 (Intuitive, Idealistic, Spiritual)

Name Styles

Mythological, Classic, Aesthetic

Associated Traits

Romantic, adventurous, brave

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with the legend of Tristan and Isolde, symbolizing romantic and knightly ideals.

Name Day

October 10 (France)
A Deep Dive

Tristan Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Tristram, Tristian, Tristen, Tristin, Tristyn

Common Nicknames

Tanny, Tristy, Trin, Tanny, Trini

Diminutives

Tris, Stan, Trix, Trist, Tri

Famous People

  • Tristan Tzara
    (Romanian-French Poet)
  • Tristan Thompson
    (Canadian-American Professional Basketball Player)
  • Tristan Wilds
    (American Actor and Singer)
  • Tristan Rogers
    (Australian-American Actor)
  • Tristan Perich
    (American Composer and Visual Artist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Tristan Ludlow
    ("Legends of the Fall," Film)
  • Tristan Thorn
    ("Stardust," Film)
  • "Tristan und Isolde"
    (Opera by Richard Wagner)
  • Tristan DuGrey
    ("Gilmore Girls," TV Series)
  • Sir Tristan
    ("King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table," Various Works)
  • Tristan Wilds
    (Real Person)

Places

  • Tristan da Cunha Island
    (South Atlantic Ocean, British Overseas Territory)

What Is the Meaning of Tristan?

Tristan means “sorrowful” or “tumult.” Folks named Tristan are known for their big hearts and strong emotions. They’re super empathetic and passionate, making them great friends who can really connect with others.

What Is the Origin of The Name Tristan?

The name Tristan has Celtic origins, derived from the Old Welsh name “Drystan.” It was popularized by the medieval legend of Tristan and Iseult, where Tristan is a heroic figure.

Tristan Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#2082021#2252022#2532023
Top 3 Rankings#681996#802009#812008

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Tristan

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023253
(-28 from 2022)
1373
(-224 from 2022)
0.07498
2022225
(-17 from 2021)
1597
(-224 from 2021)
0.08527
2021208
(-26 from 2020)
1821
(-299 from 2020)
0.09719
2020182
(-31 from 2019)
2120
(-447 from 2019)
0.11462
2019151
(-28 from 2018)
2567
(-660 from 2018)
0.13357
2018123
(-2 from 2017)
3227
(-80 from 2017)
0.16602
2017121
(-13 from 2016)
3307
(-329 from 2016)
0.16709
2016108
(-7 from 2015)
3636
(-290 from 2015)
0.17950
2015101
(-3 from 2014)
3926
(+1 from 2014)
0.19203
201498
(-2 from 2013)
3925
(-89 from 2013)
0.19154
201396
(-8 from 2012)
4014
(-423 from 2012)
0.19864
201288
(-1 from 2011)
4437
(-294 from 2011)
0.21866
201187
(-3 from 2010)
4731
(-166 from 2010)
0.23289
201084
(-4 from 2009)
4897
(-451 from 2009)
0.23837
200980
(+1 from 2008)
5348
(-309 from 2008)
0.25216
200881
(+6 from 2007)
5657
(+318 from 2007)
0.25945
200787
(-1 from 2006)
5339
(-75 from 2006)
0.24103
200686
(+27 from 2005)
5414
(+1823 from 2005)
0.24695
2005113
(+2 from 2004)
3591
(+110 from 2004)
0.16880
2004115
(-3 from 2003)
3481
(-153 from 2003)
0.16471
2003112
(-9 from 2002)
3634
(-91 from 2002)
0.17295
2002103
(+5 from 2001)
3725
(+150 from 2001)
0.18024
2001108
(-3 from 2000)
3575
(+44 from 2000)
0.17284
2000105
(-6 from 1999)
3531
(-313 from 1999)
0.16908
199999
(-7 from 1998)
3844
(-325 from 1998)
0.18852
199892
No change from 1997
4169
(-28 from 1997)
0.20561
199792
(-24 from 1996)
4197
(-1261 from 1996)
0.21008
199668
(+53 from 1995)
5458
(+2370 from 1995)
0.27239
1995121
(+330 from 1994)
3088
(+2596 from 1994)
0.15353
1994451
(-43 from 1993)
492
(-75 from 1993)
0.02414
1993408
(-36 from 1992)
567
(-55 from 1992)
0.02745
1992372
(-36 from 1991)
622
(-102 from 1991)
0.02963
1991336
(-6 from 1990)
724
(-29 from 1990)
0.03416
1990330
(-18 from 1989)
753
(-10 from 1989)
0.03499
1989312
(-25 from 1988)
763
(-40 from 1988)
0.03640
1988287
(-41 from 1987)
803
(-131 from 1987)
0.04010
1987246
(-3 from 1986)
934
(+11 from 1986)
0.04789
1986243
(-21 from 1985)
923
(-138 from 1985)
0.04803
1985222
(+29 from 1984)
1061
(+188 from 1984)
0.05513
1984251
(-3 from 1983)
873
(+18 from 1983)
0.04652
1983248
(+27 from 1982)
855
(+93 from 1982)
0.04588
1982275
(+140 from 1981)
762
(+362 from 1981)
0.04038
1981415
(+187 from 1980)
400
(+192 from 1980)
0.02148
1980602
(+58 from 1979)
208
(+41 from 1979)
0.01121
1979660
(+72 from 1978)
167
(+35 from 1978)
0.00932
1978732
(+54 from 1977)
132
(+14 from 1977)
0.00773
1977786
(+4 from 1976)
118
(+8 from 1976)
0.00690
1976790
(-10 from 1975)
110
(-3 from 1975)
0.00674
1975780
(+46 from 1974)
113
(+18 from 1974)
0.00696
1974826
(+122 from 1973)
95
(+23 from 1973)
0.00583
1973948
(-38 from 1972)
72
(-5 from 1972)
0.00446
1972910
(-52 from 1971)
77
(-13 from 1971)
0.00460
1971858
(+165 from 1970)
90
(+27 from 1970)
0.00495
19701023
(+75 from 1969)
63
(+13 from 1969)
0.00331
19691098
(-41 from 1968)
50
(+1 from 1968)
0.00273
19681057
(+355 from 1967)
49
(+20 from 1967)
0.00276
19671412
(-114 from 1966)
29
(-5 from 1966)
0.00163
19661298
(+371 from 1965)
34
(+12 from 1965)
0.00187
19651669
(+306 from 1964)
22
(+5 from 1964)
0.00116
19641975
(-428 from 1963)
17
(-9 from 1963)
0.00084
19631547
(+165 from 1962)
26
(+4 from 1962)
0.00126
19621712
(+610 from 1961)
22
(+9 from 1961)
0.00105
19612322
(+364 from 1960)
13
(+3 from 1960)
0.00060
19602686
(-272 from 1959)
10
(-2 from 1959)
0.00046
19592414
(+1145 from 1958)
12
(+6 from 1958)
0.00055
19583559
(-303 from 1957)
6
(-1 from 1957)
0.00028
19573256
(-1165 from 1956)
7
(-8 from 1956)
0.00032
19562091
(+672 from 1955)
15
(+6 from 1955)
0.00070
19552763
(+1066 from 1954)
9
(+4 from 1954)
0.00043
19543829
(-1120 from 1953)
5
(-4 from 1953)
0.00024
19532709
(-457 from 1952)
9
(-3 from 1952)
0.00045
19522252
(+815 from 1951)
12
(+5 from 1951)
0.00061
19513067
(-46 from 1950)
7
No change from 1950
0.00037
19503021
(+670 from 1949)
7
(+2 from 1949)
0.00038
19493691
(-1083 from 1948)
5
(-4 from 1948)
0.00028
19482608
(+916 from 1946)
9
(+4 from 1946)
0.00050
19470
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19463524
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00030
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 Tristan

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

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2542021#2322022#2922023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2372021#2182022#2642023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1642021#2042022#2202023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1942021#2552022#2542023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1432021#2102022#1802023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2352021#2292022#2582023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2212021#3082022#3482023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1532021#1902022#2472023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1832021#2082022#1912023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1982021#1972022#3722023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2092021#2422022#1632023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1292021#1642022#1782023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1812021#2282022#3622023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1982021#2572022#2592023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2492021#3432022#3102023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2422021#2542022#4112023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2122021#2552022#3002023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1512021#2272022#1782023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2172021#1742022#2862023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1552021#2212022#3442023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#3752021#2772022#3332023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2602021#1972022#3812023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2842021#3002022#2472023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1472021#1852022#1972023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2302021#3802022#2142023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2182021#2952022#3952023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1412021#1612022#1562023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2362021#3662022#2242023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1322021#1442022#1642023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2552021#2792022#2932023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#2432021#3132022#5092023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1892020#3782022#4982023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2912021#4982022#4102023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1842021#2212022#2682023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2212021#2252022#4982023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2402021#2252022#2282023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3072020#2722021#2572022

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4112020#2792021#2872023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3382021#1782022#2352023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1272020#1722021#2612022

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1542020#1672022#1042023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2382020#2882021#822022

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2552019#2632020#1312023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2682021#2102022#1982023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1372020#2492021#2892022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1382016#1802020#2802022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2072021#2482022#2172023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1422019#2062020#2032022

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1532015#1402018#1362019

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2272020#2022021#2452023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1212013#1392015#1232023

Popularity Rankings for Tristan in other Countries and American Territories

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

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#512021#252022#492023

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#862016#522017#392018

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#452011#452012#462013

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#532020#512021#542022

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#942006#972007#792008

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1922019#1352020#1702021

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1382016#1552017#1672018

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1492018#1772019#1862020

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1592021#2002022#3442023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3262021#3112022#1892023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#2012021#2182022#2252023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2022020#2602021#3692022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#2132019#2202020#2212021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#2252022#2382023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2422020#3122021#2992022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4372021#3422022#2672023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2712021#2932022#3032023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2892020#3842021#4592022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3652021#3552022#4512023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#5192006#4422007#4282016

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

Is Tristan a Name for Boys or Girls?

While Tristan is commonly used for boys, it has become increasingly popular as a unisex name in recent years.

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

Tristan in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Tristan Tzara (Poet, 1896–1963): A Romanian-French avant-garde poet and a founder of the Dada movement.
  • Tristan Thompson (Athlete, born 1991): A Canadian-American professional basketball player who has played in the NBA.
  • Tristan Wilds (Actor, born 1989): An American actor and singer known for his roles in "The Wire" and "90210."
  • Tristan Rogers (Actor, born 1946): An Australian-American actor famous for his role in the soap opera "General Hospital."
  • Tristan Perich (Composer, born 1982): An American contemporary composer and visual artist known for his works that blend music and technology.
  • Tristan Louis (Entrepreneur, born 1971): A French-American entrepreneur and author with significant contributions to the tech industry.
  • Tristan da Cunha (Explorer, 1465–1517): A Portuguese explorer after whom the remote island group in the South Atlantic is named.
  • Tristan Walker (Entrepreneur, born 1984): An American entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of Walker & Company Brands.
  • Tristan Ludlow ("Legends of the Fall," 1994 Film): A passionate and troubled man navigating love and loss in early 20th century Montana.
  • Tristan Thorn ("Stardust," 2007 Film): A young man who ventures into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star for his beloved.
  • "Tristan und Isolde" (1865 Opera by Richard Wagner): A tragic love story between a Cornish knight and an Irish princess.
  • Tristan DuGrey ("Gilmore Girls," 2000 TV Series): A charming and rebellious student at Chilton Academy.
  • Sir Tristan ("King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table," Various Works): One of the Knights of the Round Table, famed for his tragic romance with Isolde.
  • Tristan Wilds (Real Person): An actor and singer known for his roles in "The Wire" and "90210."
  • Tristan Taylor ("Yu-Gi-Oh!," 1998 Anime Series): A loyal friend and duelist who supports Yugi and his friends.
  • Tristan McLean ("The Heroes of Olympus," 2010 Novel Series by Rick Riordan): A famous actor and father of demigod Piper McLean.
  • Tristan da Cunha Island (South Atlantic Ocean, British Overseas Territory): The most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, located approximately 2,400 kilometers from the nearest landmass.
  • Tristan Park (New South Wales, Australia): A local recreational area featuring walking trails, picnic spots, and native wildlife habitats.
  • Tristan City (Arkansas, USA): A small community in the state of Arkansas with a predominantly agricultural economy.
  • Tristan River (British Columbia, Canada): A river in the province of British Columbia that supports diverse fish species and outdoor activities such as fishing and kayaking.
  • Tristan Reserve (Paraná, Brazil): A protected area that preserves unique flora and fauna and offers opportunities for eco-tourism and research.

Similar Names to Tristan

Sibling Names for Tristan