| Dylan | Ellis | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Sea, son of the wave | Benevolent; from Elijah |
| Origin | welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | DIL-an | EL-iss |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1953 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2001 (16,497) | 2025 (1,417) |
| In 2025 | 6,208 | 1,417 |
| Trend | Declining | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Dylan | Ellis |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 41,138 | 7,039 |
| 2010s | 96,354 | 7,098 |
| 2000s | 140,125 | 2,355 |
| 1990s | 122,074 | 1,796 |
| 1980s | 14,171 | 1,514 |
| 1970s | 4,036 | 1,664 |
| 1960s | 684 | 2,596 |
| 1950s | 97 | 3,970 |
| 1940s | 0 | 4,617 |
| 1930s | 0 | 4,482 |
| 1920s | 0 | 6,125 |
| 1910s | 0 | 4,433 |
| 1900s | 0 | 1,100 |
| 1890s | 0 | 886 |
| 1880s | 0 | 728 |
From Welsh, traditionally interpreted as containing an element meaning 'sea' or 'tide'; in medieval Welsh myth Dylan ail Don is a sea figure who takes to the waves at birth. The exact derivation of the first element is debated, but the sea association is ancient.
From the Welsh Elis, a form of Elijah, “the Lord is my God,” and linked to “benevolent.”
Dylan is more popular than Ellis today: about 6,208 US babies were given the name Dylan in 2025, compared with 1,417 named Ellis.
Dylan means Sea, son of the wave (welsh origin), while Ellis means Benevolent; from Elijah (Welsh origin).
In US records, Dylan first appears in 1953 and Ellis in 1880, so Ellis has the longer recorded history.