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Home › Baby Names Directory › Llewelyn

Llewelyn

♂ Boy

Pronounced loo-EL-in /luˈɛl.ɪn/Medium

Meaning: From Welsh Llywelyn — possibly 'leader, lion-like' or linked to 'bright'; the great medieval Welsh princes; etymology debatedMedium

In 30 seconds: A Welsh prince's name: Llewelyn is 'leader, lion-like' — borne by Wales's greatest princes. Storied, strong, and proud.
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Origin MediumWelsh
MeaningFrom Welsh Llywelyn — possibly 'leader, lion-like' or linked to 'bright'; the great medieval Welsh princes; etymology debated
U.S. rank (2025)#5516 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births17 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 177

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419162025

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

Llewelyn comes from Welsh Llywelyn — possibly 'leader, lion-like', or linked to llyw, 'leader', with a 'bright' element (the etymology is debated, which we note). Borne by the great medieval Welsh princes (Llywelyn the Great), it's a storied, strong name.

In the U.S. it appears in Welsh families. Rare, leader-or-lion-like at the (likely) root, and storied.

Did you know? Llewelyn (Llywelyn) was the name of the last sovereign princes of Wales — possibly 'leader, lion-like' or 'bright'; deeply storied and proud (the double-Ll is a Welsh sound).
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name — Llywelyn — etymology debated

Variations

LlywelynLlewellynLewelyn

Nicknames

LynLew

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Llewelyn…

Gareth— a companion Welsh name
Rhys— another Welsh classic
Llewyn— another Welsh name
Kayn— echoes that soft -yn sound
Owyn— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Llewelyn

By themeuncertainwelshroyal
By meaningLightRoyal / NobleLionLeader

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Llewelyn mean?

Llewelyn is Welsh, possibly 'leader, lion-like' or 'bright'; the etymology is debated.

How do you pronounce Llewelyn?

It's said loo-EL-in /luˈɛl.ɪn/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Llewelyn a boy or girl name?

Llewelyn is a boy's name.

How popular is Llewelyn?

Llewelyn is a rare name in the U.S.

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