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Nolan

♂ Boy

Pronounced NOH-lun /ˈnoʊlən/High

Meaning: Descendant of Nuallán; noble, chariot fighter — from Irish Ó NualláinHigh

In 30 seconds: A smooth Irish surname-name from Ó Nualláin, meaning 'descendant of the noble one.' Nolan has become a top-70 boys' name in the U.S., admired for its cool, effortless feel.
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Origin HighIrish Gaelic
MeaningDescendant of Nuallán; noble, chariot fighter — from Irish Ó Nualláin
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 94,052

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201518812017

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

History & Origin

Nolan derives from the Irish surname Ó Nualláin, meaning 'descendant of Nuallán.' The personal name Nuallán is a diminutive of nuall, meaning noble, loud, or famous, and is also associated with the Gaelic word for chariot fighter. Like many Irish surnames, Nolan traveled to America with the Irish diaspora and began appearing as a first name in the 20th century.

Nolan began appearing in U.S. given name charts in the mid-20th century and rose steadily, entering the top 100 by the 1990s and climbing to the top 70 by the 2010s. It benefits from the two-syllable, -n-ending sound that parents find satisfying, and from its association with filmmaker Christopher Nolan as well as baseball great Nolan Ryan.

Did you know? Nolan Ryan, the legendary baseball pitcher who holds records for career strikeouts and no-hitters, gave this surname-name enormous recognition in American sports culture.

Variations

Noland

Nicknames

No

Famous Bearers

  • ★Nolan Ryan (1947–)
    American baseball pitcher, holder of the career strikeout record and seven no-hitters.
  • ★Christopher Nolan (1970–)
    British-American film director known for The Dark Knight trilogy and Inception.

If you like Nolan…

Declan— Irish origin boys' name with the same smooth, modern classic feel
Finn— short, strong Irish boys' name in the same tier

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nolan mean?

Nolan is an Irish surname-name meaning 'descendant of Nuallán' — from nuall, meaning noble or famous.

How do you pronounce Nolan?

It's said NOH-lun /ˈnoʊlən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nolan a boy or girl name?

Nolan is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Nolan?

Nolan consistently ranks in the U.S. top 70–80 boys' names, a stylish Irish classic.