Nolan Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Nolan is an Irish name meaning 'noble' or 'famous', originating from the Gaelic surname 'Ó Nuallan'. It has evolved through historical forms including 'Ó Nuallan' and 'Nolan'. The name is associated with traits of strength and friendliness, and it has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 20th century and remains a modern choice today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Nolan"
Pronunciation
/ˈnoʊlən/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Nolan is derived from the Gaelic surname 'Ó Nuallan', meaning 'descendant of Nuallan', which is a diminutive of 'nuall', meaning 'noble' or 'famous'.
Meaning
noble, famous
Language Evolution
Ó Nuallan, Nuallan, Nolan
Historical Usage
Nolan gained popularity in the 20th century, especially in English-speaking countries, and has become a common given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Nole, Nolie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Nolan is perceived as a strong and modern name, associated with a sense of friendliness and approachability.
Famous People
Nolan Ryan, Christopher Nolan, Nolan Arenado
📊 Nolan Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Nolan Name Visualizations
✨ Nolan Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,757 peak births in 2015
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Nolan" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Nolan". 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 2 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 "Nolan" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Nolan"
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 "Nolan"
"Nolan" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 483rd of 7545 | 2,554 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 439th of 6773 | 3,298 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 547th of 7552 | 3,577 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 587th of 10718 | 3,038 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 318th of 16616 | 11,841 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 153rd of 24088 | 42,954 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 67th of 23106 | 63,240 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6965th of 9107 | 17 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 13048th of 27321 | 56 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 10898th of 35406 | 138 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 4982nd of 30306 | 320 |
Regional Popularity of "Nolan" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
36.37% 515th/1416 |
- |
14.62% 346th/2366 |
60.33% 689th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
30.14% 466th/1546 |
55.08% 857th/1556 |
14.53% 342nd/2353 |
34.52% 534th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
26.27% 585th/2227 |
31.52% 766th/2430 |
17.53% 500th/2853 |
18.77% 521st/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
20.16% 592nd/2937 |
25.29% 881st/3483 |
17.25% 607th/3518 |
12.69% 513th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
6.11% 225th/3685 |
7.60% 340th/4475 |
7.84% 407th/5194 |
4.53% 286th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
1.99% 91st/4582 |
2.54% 131st/5164 |
2.80% 205th/7313 |
2.51% 187th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
1.08% 43rd/3984 |
1.36% 61st/4487 |
1.10% 75th/6822 |
1.45% 91st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Nolan" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
92.14% 6738th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
100.00% 4487th/4487 |
71.86% 4902nd/6822 |
- |
State-by-State Popularity of "Nolan"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Nolan" 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 "Nolan" in the United States
The name Nolan is most popular in Alaska, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. From 2020-2022, Nolan has been too falling for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West. Across generations, 'Nolan' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 483rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 439th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 547th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 587th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 318th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 153rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 67th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6965th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13048th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 10898th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4982nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Nolan' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.