Dilan

♂ Boy

Pronounced DIL-un /ˈdɪl.ən/High

Meaning: Son of the sea or born of the ocean; a phonetic spelling variant of Dylan, from the Welsh dyn (person or creature) and llan (sea), or possibly related to the Welsh dylon meaning great tideHigh

In 30 seconds: Dilan is a phonetic spelling variant of Dylan meaning son of the sea in Welsh, a lyrical Celtic name tied to the sea-god Dylan Eil Ton of Welsh mythology and the legendary poet Bob Dylan.

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Origin HighWelsh, Celtic

MeaningSon of the sea or born of the ocean; a phonetic spelling variant of Dylan, from the Welsh dyn (person or creature) and llan (sea), or possibly related to the Welsh dylon meaning great tide

U.S. rank (2025)#805 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births309 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,032

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Dilan is a phonetic spelling of Dylan, from the Welsh elements dy (great) and llanw (sea, tide) or dyn llan (person of the sea). Dylan Eil Ton was a divine figure in the Mabinogion, the great collection of Welsh mythology. The name carries powerful oceanic imagery.

The Dylan spelling became internationally famous through singer-songwriter Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, who took the name in tribute to poet Dylan Thomas). The Dilan spelling appears in Turkish and other cultures as a completely separate name meaning like a lion or brave. In the United States, Dilan is used as a variant of Dylan.

Did you know? In Welsh mythology, Dylan Eil Ton (meaning Dylan Son of the Wave) was a sea deity who at birth dived into the sea and could swim as well as any fish. Every wave breaking on shore was said to be weeping for Dylan, making the name one of the most poetically charged in the Celtic mythological tradition.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Dylan — Welsh Celtic etymology underlying Dilan variantU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

DylanDylonDyllan

Nicknames

Dil

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dilan…

Dylan— the standard Welsh spelling of the same name with the same sea mythology

Conan— same Celtic two-syllable masculine name with mythological weight

Brennan— shares the two-syllable -an ending Celtic masculine feel

Finlan— same two-syllable Celtic -an ending masculine name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dilan mean?

Dilan means son of the sea or born of the ocean, sharing the Welsh meaning of Dylan.

How do you pronounce Dilan?

It is said DIL-un, two syllables with stress on the first, the same as Dylan.

Is Dilan the same as Dylan?

Dilan is a phonetic spelling variant of Dylan; both share the Welsh Celtic origin and sea meaning.

Is Dilan a popular name?

Dilan is less common than Dylan in the United States but shares the same sound and is used as a variant.