Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Dillon
BoyIrish· “uncertain; from an Irish surname”
- Meaning
- uncertain; from an Irish surname (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- DIH-luhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #930
- US babies 2025
- 253
- Best rank
- #73 (1992)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Dillon
Dillon is often said to mean “uncertain; from an Irish surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
Dillon is an Irish surname whose roots are uncertain. It was brought to Ireland by Anglo-Norman settlers and may derive from a Germanic personal name or from a French place name, but none of the suggested meanings is well established. It is sometimes confused with the Welsh name Dylan, which has a separate origin, though the two sound alike. As a first name for boys, Dillon became popular in the United States in the late twentieth century alongside Dylan. Matt Dillon, the marshal of the long-running television western Gunsmoke, made the surname familiar. It feels casual and friendly.
Other spellings with the same sound: Dylan, Dillan, Dillen.
Popularity over time
Dillon first appears in US Social Security records in 1892. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 48 different years, starting in 1892. Its best national rank was #73 in 1992, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,062 babies. In 2025, 253 babies were named Dillon, and it ranked #930 nationally. That is 63% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,709 in 1920, #3,104 in 1950, #673 in 1980, #169 in 2000, #304 in 2010, and #930 in 2025. Of the 65,225 US boys named Dillon since records began, 50% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 17,708 babies. Since 2010, 9,194 more have been named Dillon.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Francisco, Alex, Roberto, Tevin, and Zachery.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dillon ranked highest in West Virginia, Louisiana, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #342 | 5 |
| Louisiana | #463 | 10 |
| Connecticut | #511 | 5 |
| Oregon | #546 | 6 |
| Maryland | #590 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Dillon over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Dillon is usually pronounced DIH-luhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Dylan, Dillan, and Dillen.
Middle names for Dillon
A few middle names that flow with Dillon: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dillon
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Lists that include Dillon
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dillon mean?
Dillon is often said to mean “uncertain; from an Irish surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Dillon?
Dillon has Irish roots. Dillon is an Irish surname whose roots are uncertain.
Is Dillon a popular name?
Yes. Dillon ranked #930 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Dillon a boy or girl name?
Dillon is mainly a boy's name. About 95% of US babies named Dillon over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Dillon?
Dillon is usually pronounced DIH-luhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings