How to say it
DI · lan
ˈdɪl.ən
Masculine
Dilan
Great tide, or heart
What it means
Dilan works two ways. As a spelling of the Welsh Dylan it means 'great tide' or 'son of the sea.' As a Kurdish name it is tied to dil, 'heart.'
Dilan carries two honest readings. Most often it is a spelling variant of the Welsh Dylan, a name from Welsh myth meaning 'great tide' or 'son of the sea.' Separately, Dilan stands on its own in Kurdish and Turkish use, where it names a traditional circle dance of joy and connects to the word dil, 'heart.' In American use it functions mainly as the Dylan variant. Dilan slipped a little in the most recent US rankings but remains within the boys' top 1000.
How to spell Dilan
The standard spelling is Dilan. Common variants include Dylan, Dillan, but Dilan is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #662 in 2024, currently #805 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
DIL-an or DEE-lan, depending on the tradition.
Spelling variants
- Dylan
- Dillan
Names with the same feeling
See Dilan from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Dilan mean?
- Dilan works two ways. As a spelling of the Welsh Dylan it means 'great tide' or 'son of the sea.' As a Kurdish name it is tied to dil, 'heart.'
- What does Dilan mean in Welsh?
- In Welsh, Dilan means "Great tide, or heart." Dilan carries two honest readings. Most often it is a spelling variant of the Welsh Dylan, a name from Welsh myth meaning 'great tide' or 'son of the sea.' Separately, Dilan stands on its own in Kurdish and Turkish use, where it names a traditional circle dance of joy and connects to the word dil, 'heart.' In American use it functions mainly as the Dylan variant. Dilan slipped a little in the most recent US rankings but remains within the boys' top 1000.
- How do you pronounce Dilan?
- Dilan is pronounced ˈdɪl.ən. Say it as DI-lan, with the stress on the "di" syllable.
- How do you spell Dilan?
- The standard spelling is Dilan. Common spelling variants include Dylan, Dillan.
- Is Dilan a boy or girl name?
- Dilan is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Dilan?
- Dilan ranked #805 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.