Dylan

Today's name: Dylan
Variant spellings: Dillan, Dillon, Dyllan, Dyllon, Dylon, Dylonn

Pronunciation: DIL-an

Potential nicknames: Dyl, "D"

Origin: Welsh, meaning "son of the sea," although there is a possibility the names comes from the word dylanwad, meaning "influence." The spelling Dillon derives from a surname.

Popularity: In 2010 Dylan ranked at #31 for boys in the U.S. with 10,455 boys born with that spelling, and, surprisingly, #571 for girls. The spelling Dillon ranked at #293 for boys in 2010 with 1,037 boys born with that spelling. These rankings have not changed much in the past decade, but have been very slowly moving down for both genders. In 2010 the name was ranking at #2 in Wales, #9 in Northern Ireland, #12 in Ireland, #13 in Scotland, #18 in Sascatchewan, #19 in England, #24 in New Zealand, #25 in British Columbia and in Ontario, and #30 in Australia's New South Wales. In 2011 in the U.S. it ranked at #33.

Fun fact: In Welsh mythology, specifically the myths known as Mabinogion, Dylan was a revered hero, god of the sea, son of Gwyddion and Arianhrod. (2) Poet Dylan Thomas. (3) The son of Catherin Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas. (4) Singer Bob Dylan, born Robert Zimmerman, who took this surname in tribute to the poet Dylan Thomas. (5) Actor Dylan McDermott. (6) A 90210 TV series character played by Luke Perry. (7) Designer Ralph Lauren has a daughter named Dylan.

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