Names › Boys' names › D › Dylan
Dylan
Meaning: son of the sea; great tide · Origin: Welsh · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
A figure from Welsh mythology, Dylan ail Don, linked with the sea. Poet Dylan Thomas and Bob Dylan made it famous.
Famous people named Dylan
- Dylan Thomas (poet)
Nicknames
Dyl
Variants & related names
Dillon, Dilan
Dylan name art
A free preview of a printable “Dylan” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Dylan mean?
Dylan means “son of the sea; great tide”. It comes from Welsh.
Is Dylan a popular name?
Yes — Dylan has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for Dylan?
Dyl.
What are other forms of Dylan?
Dillon, Dilan.
Similar names
Owen · Evan · Rhys · Daniel · David · Dominic
More: names starting with D · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.