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Home › Baby Names Directory › Llewellyn

Llewellyn

♀ Girl

Pronounced loo-EL-in /luˈɛl.ɪn/Medium

Meaning: An anglicized spelling of the Welsh Llywelyn, borne by the medieval princes of Gwynedd. Its roots are debated: often connected to llyw ('leader') and sometimes to a form meaning 'lion-like'. In Wales and beyond it is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, and we note the lean.Low

In 30 seconds: A grand Welsh name with a princely history: Llewellyn is tied to 'leader' (said 'loo-EL-in'). Strongly a boy's name — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumWelsh
MeaningAn anglicized spelling of the Welsh Llywelyn, borne by the medieval princes of Gwynedd. Its roots are debated: often connected to llyw ('leader') and sometimes to a form meaning 'lion-like'. In Wales and beyond it is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, and we note the lean.
U.S. rank (2024)#14482 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1924
Total births (all-time)≈ 330

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192419062024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Llewellyn anglicizes the Welsh Llywelyn, the name of the medieval princes of Gwynedd; scholars link it to llyw, 'leader', with an older lion-like reading also proposed. In Welsh the double-l is a breathy sound English speakers usually smooth to an 'l'. Used here for a girl, though it leans strongly to boys, which we note (said 'loo-EL-in').

For girls it appears only very rarely in the U.S., against long-standing boys' use. Historic, Welsh, and stately.

Did you know? Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales, made this name a national touchstone. The Llewellyn spelling is the anglicized one — handsome, historic, and still very much a boys' name, which we note.
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Llewellyn — Welsh Llywelyn; llyw 'leader'; princes of Gwynedd; boy-leaning

Variations

LlywelynLewellynLlewelyn

Nicknames

LlewLynEllie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Llewellyn…

Llewyn— the short Welsh cousin of the same family
Elin— a like Welsh-rooted pick
Gwendolyn— a like Welsh name with a -lyn ending
Evelyn— a like -lyn ending in wider use

Explore names like Llewellyn

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Llewellyn mean?

Llewellyn comes from the Welsh Llywelyn, linked to llyw ('leader') and sometimes to a 'lion-like' reading; the roots are debated.

How do you pronounce Llewellyn?

In English it's said loo-EL-in /luˈɛl.ɪn/ — three syllables, stress on the second. Welsh gives the double-l a breathier sound.

Is Llewellyn a boy or girl name?

Llewellyn is overwhelmingly a boy's name in Wales and the U.S.; it is used here for a girl, and we note the lean clearly.

How popular is Llewellyn?

For girls Llewellyn is very rare in the U.S.; as a boy's name it has a long, steady history in Wales.

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