A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Llewellyn since 1880
Babies named Llewellyn per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Llewellyn's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 72 |
| 1890s | 0 | 84 |
| 1900s | 13 | 64 |
| 1910s | 65 | 452 |
| 1920s | 72 | 566 |
| 1930s | 73 | 407 |
| 1940s | 30 | 369 |
| 1950s | 24 | 421 |
| 1960s | 0 | 326 |
| 1970s | 0 | 232 |
| 1980s | 0 | 159 |
| 1990s | 0 | 73 |
| 2000s | 6 | 36 |
| 2010s | 13 | 81 |
| 2020s | 45 | 72 |
Meaning & origin
Llewellyn is a classic Welsh name with deep historical roots, meaning 'lion-like' or 'leader.' It first entered U.S. records in 1880, and its highest popularity came in 1894, when it peaked in use. Since 2008, the name has been experiencing a resurgence, rising in the rankings after decades of decline. Though it was once more common in Wales, it has maintained a steady but modest presence in the United States. With 1 in every 106,755 newborns receiving the name in the latest recorded year, Llewellyn remains a distinguished choice for those seeking a name with Celtic heritage and a strong, noble meaning.
Llewellyn is a traditional Welsh name derived from the elements 'llyw' (leader) and 'eilin' (resembling), though it is popularly interpreted as 'lion-like' due to association with 'llew' (lion). A classic name in Wales for centuries, it was borne by several Welsh princes and chieftains.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lleu, Elen, Welly
Sibling names for Llewellyn
Names that share Llewellyn's style, for a brother or sister.
