Dylan

♀ Girl

Pronounced DIL-un /ˈdɪl.ən/High

Meaning: Born of the ocean or son of the sea; from the Welsh Dylan Eil Ton, composed of Welsh elements meaning great sea or oceanHigh

In 30 seconds: Dylan means born of the sea or son of the ocean in Welsh mythology, a traditionally male name that has crossed gender lines in the United States to become a rising girls name, representing the modern trend of oceanic nature names for girls.

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Origin HighWelsh

MeaningBorn of the ocean or son of the sea; from the Welsh Dylan Eil Ton, composed of Welsh elements meaning great sea or ocean

U.S. rank (2025)#808 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births338 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 16,267

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Dylan derives from Welsh mythology, where Dylan Eil Ton (Dylan Son of the Wave) was a divine sea being who could swim like the sea itself. The name comes from Welsh elements dy or dyl meaning great and llanw meaning sea or tide. The name gained global recognition through Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and singer Bob Dylan.

Dylan has been a popular boys name in the United States since the 1990s. Its use as a girls name is more recent, gaining traction in the 2010s and following the celebrity example of Pamela Anderson, who named her son Dylan in 1997. As a girls name it now appears steadily in birth records, particularly in the United States.

Did you know? Despite its male mythological origins, Dylan entered the U.S. girls top 200 in the 2010s, following the pattern of names like Ryan, Avery, and Finley that began as boys names and became popular for girls. Parents appreciate its soft sound and evocative sea imagery regardless of the original gender.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Dylan — Welsh etymology and mythologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

DilanDyllanDylen

Nicknames

DillyDyl

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Dylan…

Ryan— same category of traditionally male Celtic name now popular for girls

Finley— shares the two-syllable Celtic heritage and gender-crossing trend

Quinn— same Irish/Welsh one/two-syllable name used freely for both genders

Harper— same two-syllable surname-name that crossed from male to female use

Frequently Asked

What does the name Dylan mean for a girl?

Dylan means born of the sea or son of the ocean, from Welsh mythology, carrying oceanic imagery that appeals to parents for both boys and girls.

How do you pronounce Dylan?

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

Is Dylan a popular girls name?

Dylan has been rising as a girls name in the United States since the 2010s, part of the trend of formerly male Celtic names crossing gender lines.

Is Dylan Welsh?

Yes, Dylan is a Welsh name from mythology, where Dylan Eil Ton was a divine sea being, associated with the great ocean.