Dylan

Q: What is the origin of Dylan?

Dylan is of Welsh origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: Is Dylan a girl name?

Dylan is traditionally a girl name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

female

Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Son of the Sea"

Welsh name from mythological tradition, often interpreted as son of the sea, popularized broadly in the twentieth century.

Themes:welshseamythologymodern

Nature Natural UnisexGender-neutral

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Dylan

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#696Top 1000

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

#696

Dylan was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

-46

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Dylan Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Dylan.

12 ideas

Dyl

Nickname

dyla

Nickname

dylie

Nickname

dylo

Nickname

dylanie

Nickname

dylany

Nickname

dylano

Nickname

ylan

Nickname

lany

Nickname

ddie

Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Dylan

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Dylan, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

20 linked lists

Famous Dylans

B
Bob Dylan
American singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate
D
Dylan Thomas
Welsh poet known for Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Dylan mean?

Dylan means "Son of the Sea". Welsh name from mythological tradition, often interpreted as son of the sea, popularized broadly in the twentieth centur

What is the origin of Dylan?

Dylan is of Welsh origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Dylan?

According to the latest SSA data, Dylan is currently ranked #696 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Dylan a girl name?

Dylan is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Dylan?

Popular nicknames for Dylan include Dyl, Dy, dyla, dylie, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Dylan?

There are many names similar to Dylan in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginWelsh

Syllables2

Length5 letters

US Rank#696

Trend↓ Falling

Starts withD

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Dillon Davis Dilan Jones Marvin

Sisters

Ellis Gwen Guinevere Jennifer Megan

Explore More Girl Names Like Dylan

Dylan has Welsh roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Welsh baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Dylan appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls and Earth-Inspired Nature Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Dylan pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Dylan beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.