Dylan

Some names whisper. Dylan rolls in like weather off the coast, which is fitting, because the sea is right there in what it means.

The name is Welsh, and its meaning is gorgeously elemental: great tide or son of the sea. For a name that sounds so casual and approachable, that's a lot of quiet drama. It's the sort of meaning you can save for later, when your child asks what their name means and you get to say something properly impressive.

Poetry, then the screen

The most celebrated bearer is surely Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet and writer. It's hard to think of a better ambassador for a Welsh name than a Welsh poet, and the association lends it a certain lyrical weight.

On the other side of the Atlantic, it has become a firm favourite among actors. Dylan O'Brien and Dylan McDermott are both American actors, and Dylan Minnette is an American actor and musician. Even Jack Dylan Grazer, another American actor, has it tucked away as a middle name. Clearly the name has a gift for the spotlight.

The nickname, if you want one, is Dyl. It's brisk and slightly scruffy in the best possible way, like a lad who never quite tucks his shirt in. Most boys with the name, though, seem perfectly happy with the full two syllables, which are already short enough.

Where the tide runs highest

For a name with such specifically Welsh origins, it has travelled astonishingly far. Its strongest showing right now isn't in Britain at all, but in Catalonia:

• #35 in Catalonia (2024)
• #42 in the United States (2020)
• #54 in Mexico City (2023)
• #65 in England & Wales (2024)
• #77 in Argentina and #94 in New Zealand (2024)
• #107 in Canada and #320 in France (2024)

That spread through the Spanish-speaking world is lovely to see. A name born of Welsh waves now crops up in playgrounds from Mexico City to Argentina. Meanwhile, at #65 in England & Wales, it's well loved at home without being the default.

Style-wise, it pairs neatly with other friendly names of a similar shape. Connor, Evan and Owen would make fine brothers, and Chloe would be a sweet sister. There's a relaxed, sunny feel to that whole set, as though they all grew up near a beach.

The beauty of the name is that it carries two lives at once: on the surface it's easy and contemporary, while underneath sits a meaning as old and deep as the ocean. That combination is surprisingly rare.

And yet, as every parent with a shortlist knows, a name that ticks every box can still leave you dithering. You might love it on Monday, fall for something else on Tuesday and come crawling back by the weekend. Tides, after all, have a habit of returning.