Dylan

Dylan is a poetic Welsh name meaning "son of the sea," with mythological roots and lasting cool thanks to Dylan Thomas and Bob Dylan.

What Does the Name Dylan Mean?

Dylan comes from Welsh and is usually translated as "son of the sea" or "great tide," from an element meaning "sea." In Welsh mythology, Dylan ail Don was a sea figure associated with the waves. The name has a lyrical, elemental quality.

Personality & Traits

Dylan feels artistic, easygoing, and free-spirited, carrying the creative aura of its literary and musical namesakes. It sounds equally at home as a boy's or a young man's name. The name has a relaxed, approachable charm that has kept it popular for decades.

Nicknames & Variations

Dylan is often used in full, with Dyl as an occasional short form. Spelling variants include Dillon, Dylon, and Dillan, and the name is sometimes given to girls. The traditional Welsh spelling is Dylan.

Is Dylan a Good Name in 2026?

Dylan is a modern classic with an enduring creative cachet. It has remained a steady top-100 US boys' name for years and works well for both boys and, occasionally, girls. Parents drawn to musical, meaningful names with a laid-back feel often choose Dylan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dylan a boy or girl name?

Dylan is used mostly for boys but is also given to girls, making it lean toward unisex in some regions.

What does the name Dylan mean?

Dylan means "son of the sea" or "great tide," from Welsh.

Where does the name Dylan come from?

It comes from Welsh mythology and was popularized by poet Dylan Thomas and musician Bob Dylan.

Is Dylan a popular name?

Yes. Dylan has been a consistent top-100 boys' name in the US for decades.

The origin & history of Dylan

Dylan is a Welsh given name and surname derived from "dy," meaning "great," and "llanw," meaning "tide" or "sea," interpreted as "son of the sea," "born from the ocean," or "great tide." It is associated with Dylan ail Don, a sea god or hero in Welsh mythology recorded in the Mabinogion tales.

Notable people named Dylan

Dylan Thomas — Welsh poet and writer (1914-1953), known for poems including "Do not go gentle into that good night" and the play for voices Under Milk Wood.

Source: Wikipedia: Dylan Thomas

Dylan O'Brien — American actor (b. 1991), known for playing Stiles Stilinski on the MTV series Teen Wolf and the lead role in the Maze Runner film trilogy.

Source: Wikipedia: Dylan O'Brien

Popularity of the name Dylan in the US

2001 · 16,696 babies · rank #25 (199 girls, 16,497 boys)