How to say it
NO · lan
ˈnoʊ.lən
Masculine
Nolan
Champion
What it means
Anglicized Irish surname Ó Nualláin, 'descendant of Nualláin' (Nualláin probably from nuall, 'famous, noble, champion').
Nolan is the anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Nualláin ('descendant of Nualláin'). The personal name Nualláin probably derives from nuall ('famous, noble, champion'). Like many Irish surnames, it crossed to America with 19th-century immigration and waited a hundred years before parents started using it as a first name. Nolan Ryan, the Hall of Fame pitcher, gave it baseball anchor. Christopher Nolan the filmmaker kept it culturally current. It's been in the US top 100 since 2014. Single short forms are uncommon.
How to spell Nolan
The standard spelling is Nolan. Common variants include Nolen, but Nolan is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #57 in 2023, currently #65 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
- Nickname
Nolans rarely shorten. Single short forms aren't common.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Nolan Ryan MLB Hall of Fame pitcher, seven no-hitters, 27 seasons
- Christopher Nolan British-American filmmaker, Inception and Oppenheimer (Nolan as surname)
Spelling variants
- Nolen
Names with the same feeling
See Nolan from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Nolan mean?
- Anglicized Irish surname Ó Nualláin, 'descendant of Nualláin' (Nualláin probably from nuall, 'famous, noble, champion').
- What does Nolan mean in Irish?
- In Irish, Nolan means "Champion." Nolan is the anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Nualláin ('descendant of Nualláin'). The personal name Nualláin probably derives from nuall ('famous, noble, champion'). Like many Irish surnames, it crossed to America with 19th-century immigration and waited a hundred years before parents started using it as a first name. Nolan Ryan, the Hall of Fame pitcher, gave it baseball anchor. Christopher Nolan the filmmaker kept it culturally current. It's been in the US top 100 since 2014. Single short forms are uncommon.
- How do you pronounce Nolan?
- Nolan is pronounced ˈnoʊ.lən. Say it as NO-lan, with the stress on the "no" syllable.
- How do you spell Nolan?
- The standard spelling is Nolan. Common spelling variants include Nolen.
- Is Nolan a boy or girl name?
- Nolan is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Nolan?
- Nolan ranked #65 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.