Dylan: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced DIL-uhn · 2 syllables
Dylan means “son of the sea”, from Welsh.
From Welsh mythology; possibly from Celtic for "son of the sea" or "born from the ocean." Unrelated to the name Dillon, although the homophony may result in the two being considered variant spellings of the same name.
- Meaning
- son of the sea
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- DIL-uhn
- US rank (2025)
- #41
- US babies a year
- about 7,434 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 2000
How popular is Dylan?
Dylan was the #41 name in the US in 2025, given to 6,546 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 34% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2000.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #41 |
| England & Wales | #55 |
| Scotland | #85 |
| Northern Ireland | #68 |
| Ireland | #71 |
| France | #317 |
| Canada | #103 |
| Australia | #159 |
How old are people named Dylan?
Half of US adults named Dylan are older than 27; most are between 19 and 38. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Dylan
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Dylan have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Dylan
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Dylan
What does the name Dylan mean?
Dylan means “son of the sea”. It comes from Welsh.
How do you pronounce Dylan?
Dylan is pronounced DIL-uhn.
How popular is the name Dylan?
Dylan was the #41 name in the US in 2025, given to 6,546 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 34% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2000.
How old are people named Dylan?
Half of US adults named Dylan are older than 27. Most are between 19 and 38.