Boy · 67th of 23,106
Nolan
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
131,160
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2015
Peak Popularity Year
5,757
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Nolan stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
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
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
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
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |