What Does the Name Nolan Mean?
Nolan is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning “descendant of Nuallán (little champion / noble).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Nolan |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Irish |
| Meaning | descendant of Nuallán (little champion / noble) |
| Variants | Nuallan, Noland, Nolen |
| Popularity | A steady US Top 100 boys' name and very popular in France. |
The meaning and origin of Nolan
The name Nolan means “descendant of Nuallán (little champion / noble)” and has Irish origins. Nolan is an anglicized form of the Irish surname O Nuallain, from a diminutive of nuall meaning "noble" or "famous." Originally a surname, it became a common given name in the United States and France.
Variants and related names
Nolan is related to several other names you may recognize: Nuallan, Noland, Nolen. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Nolan?
A steady US Top 100 boys' name and very popular in France.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nolan mean?+
The name Nolan means “descendant of Nuallán (little champion / noble)” and is of Irish origin.
What is the origin of the name Nolan?+
Nolan originates from Irish.
Is Nolan a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Nolan has trended in the US over time.
Nolan 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