What Does the Name Dylan Mean?
Dylan is a boy's name of Welsh origin meaning “great tide, son of the sea.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Dylan |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Welsh |
| Meaning | great tide, son of the sea |
| Variants | Dillon, Dylon, Dilan |
| Popularity | A US top 30 boys' name in the 1990s-2000s. |
The meaning and origin of Dylan
The name Dylan means “great tide, son of the sea” and has Welsh origins. From Welsh elements meaning sea or great flow; in Welsh mythology Dylan ail Don was a sea-associated figure. Popularized in modern times by poet Dylan Thomas and musician Bob Dylan.
Variants and related names
Dylan is related to several other names you may recognize: Dillon, Dylon, Dilan. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Dylan?
A US top 30 boys' name in the 1990s-2000s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dylan mean?+
The name Dylan means “great tide, son of the sea” and is of Welsh origin.
What is the origin of the name Dylan?+
Dylan originates from Welsh.
Is Dylan a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Dylan has trended in the US over time.
Dylan by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press