Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Llewellyn
UnisexWelsh· “Welsh name, uncertain meaning”
- Meaning
- Welsh name, uncertain meaning (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- loo-EL-in
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #5,749
- US babies 2025
- 16
- Best rank
- #594 (1882)
- Peak year
- 1916
Meaning and origin of Llewellyn
Llewellyn is often said to mean “Welsh name, uncertain meaning”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Welsh roots.
Llewellyn is an English spelling of the Welsh Llywelyn, a name of uncertain origin. It is often linked to llyw, leader, and sometimes associated with the word for lion, but neither explanation is proven. The name was borne by Welsh princes, most famously Llywelyn the Great in the thirteenth century and his grandson Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales. As a given name it is used for boys and occasionally girls. In English it is said loo-EL-in. Llew and Lew are traditional nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lewellyn.
Popularity over time
Llewellyn has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 47 different years. Its best national rank was #594 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 1916, when 69 were named Llewellyn. In 2025, 16 babies were named Llewellyn, and it ranked #5,749 nationally. That is 100% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #957 in 1920, #1,173 in 1950, #2,584 in 1980, #6,639 in 2000, #7,389 in 2010, and #5,749 in 2025. Of the 3,414 US boys named Llewellyn since records began, 17% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 452 babies. Since 2010, 153 more have been named Llewellyn.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Myrl, Arlington, Maxie, Myrle, and Jeffie.
Gender, sound and spelling
Llewellyn is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 28% of US babies named Llewellyn were girls and 72% were boys.
Llewellyn is usually pronounced loo-EL-in, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with L and ends in “-yn”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lewellyn.
Middle names for Llewellyn
A few middle names that flow with Llewellyn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Llewellyn
Similar names
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Lists that include Llewellyn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Llewellyn mean?
Llewellyn is often said to mean “Welsh name, uncertain meaning”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Welsh roots.
What is the origin of the name Llewellyn?
Llewellyn has Welsh roots. Llewellyn is an English spelling of the Welsh Llywelyn, a name of uncertain origin.
Is Llewellyn a popular name?
Not especially. Llewellyn ranked #5,749 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Llewellyn a boy or girl name?
Llewellyn is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 28% of US babies named Llewellyn were girls and 72% were boys.
How do you pronounce Llewellyn?
Llewellyn is usually pronounced loo-EL-in. 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