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Home › Baby Names Directory › Tristan

Tristan

♀ Girl

Pronounced TRIS-tan /ˈtrɪs.tən/High

Meaning: From the Celtic/Welsh Drystan — variously 'tumult; din' and (reshaped toward the Latin tristis) 'sorrowful'; the knight Tristan of Arthurian legend; strongly boy-leaning; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Tumult; sorrowful: Tristan is Celtic. Crisp, classic, and warm. Strongly boy-leaning (here for girls).
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Origin LowCeltic, Welsh
MeaningFrom the Celtic/Welsh Drystan — variously 'tumult; din' and (reshaped toward the Latin tristis) 'sorrowful'; the knight Tristan of Arthurian legend; strongly boy-leaning; here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#5706 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births22 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1996
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,551

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199619622025

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

Tristan comes from the Celtic/Welsh Drystan — variously 'tumult; din' and (reshaped toward the Latin tristis) 'sorrowful'; the knight Tristan of Arthurian legend (routes layered, which we note). Strongly boy-leaning, here for a girl (slug distinguished; said 'TRIS-tan').

In the U.S. it appears mostly for boys; here for a girl. Rare for girls, tumult-and-sorrowful at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Tristan (Drystan) is Celtic/Welsh, variously 'tumult' and (via the Latin tristis) 'sorrowful' — the knight of Arthurian legend — strongly a boys' name, here (rarely) for a girl (the routes are layered; said 'TRIS-tan').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Tristan — boy-leaning; routes layered

Variations

TristenTrystanTristian

Nicknames

Tris

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tristan…

Tristen— a kin spelling
Kristen— a sound-neighbor -isten girls' name
Dustin— a fellow -stin name
Tegan— shares Tristan's Welsh roots
Teagan— another Welsh name

Explore names like Tristan

By themeuncertainunisexwelshceltic
By meaningStrength

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tristan mean?

Tristan is Celtic/Welsh, variously 'tumult' and 'sorrowful' (the Arthurian knight). It is strongly boy-leaning; here for a girl. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Tristan?

It's said TRIS-tan /ˈtrɪs.tən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Tristan a boy or girl name?

Tristan is mostly a boys' name; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Tristan?

Tristan is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.

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