Dylan Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Dylan is a Welsh name meaning 'son of the sea,' derived from the words 'dy' and 'llanw.' It has evolved through various forms, including a Latinized version. The name is associated with creativity and has no biblical background. It gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, largely due to the influence of notable figures like Dylan Thomas and Bob Dylan.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dylan"
Pronunciation
/ˈdɪlən/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Dylan is derived from the Welsh word 'dy' meaning 'great' and 'llanw' meaning 'tide' or 'flow'. It is often associated with the mythological figure Dylan ail Don, a sea god in Welsh legend.
Meaning
son of the sea
Language Evolution
Dylan (modern Welsh), Dillan (Old Welsh variant), Dylanus (Latinized form)
Historical Usage
The name Dylan gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly after the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas became well-known in the 1940s and 1950s.
Variants & Derivatives
Dillan, Dilan, Dyllan
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Dylan is viewed as a trendy and artistic name, often associated with creativity and depth due to its ties to literature and music.
Famous People
Dylan Thomas, Bob Dylan, Dylan O'Brien
📊 Dylan Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Dylan Name Visualizations
✨ Dylan Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 16,696 peak births in 2001
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Dylan" - Complete Guide (3 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Dylan". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 3 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Dylan" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Dylan"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Dylan"
"Dylan" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2195th of 7552 | 260 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 445th of 10718 | 5,379 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 61st of 16616 | 91,934 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 26th of 24088 | 213,918 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 33rd of 23106 | 100,931 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6705th of 19264 | 106 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1577th of 27321 | 1,436 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 692nd of 35406 | 6,358 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 477th of 30306 | 8,029 |
Regional Popularity of "Dylan" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
- |
42.99% 1193rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
14.74% 433rd/2937 |
11.54% 402nd/3483 |
16.23% 571st/3518 |
7.96% 322nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
1.63% 60th/3685 |
1.39% 62nd/4475 |
1.23% 64th/5194 |
1.12% 71st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.55% 25th/4582 |
0.45% 23rd/5164 |
0.37% 27th/7313 |
0.36% 27th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
1.53% 61st/3984 |
0.45% 20th/4487 |
0.44% 30th/6822 |
0.43% 27th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Dylan" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
48.03% 1770th/3685 |
30.08% 1346th/4475 |
31.71% 1647th/5194 |
24.39% 1541st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
17.46% 800th/4582 |
11.33% 585th/5164 |
10.24% 749th/7313 |
8.31% 620th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
12.42% 495th/3984 |
8.71% 391st/4487 |
7.90% 539th/6822 |
6.71% 421st/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Dylan"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Dylan" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Dylan" in the United States
The name Dylan is most popular in Nevada, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Dylan has been too falling for male in MidWest, falling for female in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, falling for male in West, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Dylan' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2195th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 445th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 61st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 26th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 33rd out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6705th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1577th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 692nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 477th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Dylan' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.