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Waylon
Pronounced WAY-lun /ˈweɪlən/High
Meaning: Land beside the road; from Old English weg (way, road) + land (land)Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
Waylon is thought to derive from an Old English surname composed of weg (way, road, path) and land, meaning land by the road or wayside land. It also echoes the name of the legendary Germanic smith-god Wayland (Völundr in Norse), though the connection is indirect. As a given name, Waylon is largely an American creation, gaining traction through country music culture.
Waylon was a rare given name until Waylon Jennings popularized it in the 1970s. It entered the U.S. top 500 in the early 2000s and has climbed steadily, crossing into the top 100 by the 2010s. Its rise fits perfectly with the broader fashion for rugged, Western-themed boys' names — Wyatt, Waylon, Weston — that carry a sense of frontier individualism.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Waylon Jennings (1937–2002)American country music singer and songwriter, a founding figure of the outlaw country movement.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Waylon mean?
Waylon likely comes from Old English meaning 'land beside the road,' from weg (road/way) and land.
How do you pronounce Waylon?
It's said WAY-lun /ˈweɪlən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Waylon a boy or girl name?
Waylon is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.
How popular is Waylon?
Waylon has climbed into the U.S. top 100 boys' names in the 2010s, riding the wave of Western-themed name popularity.