Dylan Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis

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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.

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.

Etymology & Cultural Background of "Dylan"

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Pronunciation

/ˈdɪlən/

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Origin

Welsh

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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.

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Meaning

son of the sea

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Language Evolution

Dylan (modern Welsh), Dillan (Old Welsh variant), Dylanus (Latinized form)

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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.

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Variants & Derivatives

Dillan, Dilan, Dyllan

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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.

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Famous People

Dylan Thomas, Bob Dylan, Dylan O'Brien

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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.