Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Dylan
BoyWelsh· “son of the sea”
- Meaning
- son of the sea
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- DIH-luhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #41
- US babies 2025
- 6,208
- Best rank
- #19 (2003)
- Peak year
- 2001
Meaning and origin of Dylan
Dylan is a Welsh name that is usually said to mean “son of the sea”.
Dylan comes from Welsh legend. In the Mabinogion, Dylan ail Don is a son of Arianrhod who takes to the sea as soon as he is born, and his name is often explained as "son of the sea" or linked to Welsh words for a great tide, though the exact etymology is debated. The name stayed largely Welsh until the poet Dylan Thomas made it famous in the twentieth century, and the adopted surname of the songwriter Bob Dylan carried it further. It is now well established across the English-speaking world. Dylan feels modern yet rooted in myth. It is used mostly for boys and occasionally for girls.
Other spellings with the same sound: Dillon, Dillan, Dillen.
Popularity over time
Dylan first appears in US Social Security records in 1953. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 60 different years, starting in 1966. Its best national rank was #19 in 2003, and the most babies received it in 2001, when 16,497 were named Dylan. In 2025, 6,208 babies were named Dylan, and it ranked #41 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #265 in 1980, #24 in 2000, #31 in 2010, and #41 in 2025. Of the 418,679 US boys named Dylan since records began, 33% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 122,074 babies. Since 2010, 137,492 more have been named Dylan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Christian, Samuel, Jose, Cameron, and Hunter.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Dylan ranked highest in Florida, Maryland, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #11 | 657 |
| Maryland | #13 | 150 |
| New Jersey | #19 | 255 |
| New York | #20 | 471 |
| California | #28 | 871 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 94% of US babies named Dylan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Dylan is usually pronounced DIH-luhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with D and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Dillon, Dillan, and Dillen.
Middle names for Dylan
A few middle names that flow with Dylan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Dylan
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Lists that include Dylan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dylan mean?
Dylan is a Welsh name that is usually said to mean “son of the sea”.
What is the origin of the name Dylan?
Dylan has Welsh roots. Dylan comes from Welsh legend.
Is Dylan a popular name?
Yes. Dylan ranked #41 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Dylan a boy or girl name?
Dylan is mainly a boy's name. About 94% of US babies named Dylan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Dylan?
Dylan 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