MallowbyNames

Tristan

TRIS-tən · Of uncertain origin; possibly derived from the Celtic name Drystan, meaning 'noise' or 'sorrowful'.

2025 rank (boys)
#309
Babies named in 2025
1,103
Peak popularity
1996
2025 frequency
1 in 1,549 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2008

Declining since 2008, #309 for boys today.

Popularity of Tristan since 1946

Babies named Tristan per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2008, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Tristan's real moment was 1996.

1.9k3.8k5.7k1960198020002020Most births 2008GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1940s019
1950s089
1960s77272
1970s3071,037
1980s1,3887,582
1990s1,94323,915
2000s1,97843,300
2010s69838,693
2020s1609,336

Meaning & origin

Tristan first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1946, but it remained uncommon for decades. Its popularity climbed steadily through the 1980s and peaked in 1996, when it reached its highest rank. Since 2008, however, its usage has been declining, reflecting a broader shift away from medieval-inspired names. As of 2025, it sits at rank 309, with about 1 in 1,549 baby boys being named Tristan. The name's romantic literary associations and strong consonant sounds have kept it in steady use, particularly in states like Delaware, Mississippi, and Montana, where it has shown above-average popularity. Despite its fall from the peak years of the 1990s, Tristan remains a recognizable and well-liked choice.

Tristan is a name of Celtic origin, ultimately from the Welsh name Drystan. It entered the broader European consciousness through the medieval legend of Tristan and Iseult, a tragic love story that became popular across French, English, and German literature. The spelling Tristan was influenced by the Latin word tristis, meaning 'sad', leading to the common but likely erroneous interpretation as 'sorrowful'. The name has been in use in the English-speaking world since the 19th century and saw a surge in popularity in the late 20th century.

Where Tristan is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few births

Tristan” around the world

Where Tristan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    145

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    13

    babies in 2025

  • New Zealand

    10

    babies in 2025

  • Quebec

    #72

    in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Tris, Trist

Variants: Tristen, Triston, Trystan, Tristan

Sibling names for Tristan

Names that share Tristan's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Isolde, Celeste, Camille, Eloise, Vivienne, Alondra, Chanelle, Cherish, Destinee, Felisha, Jakayla, Jazmyne, Kamiyah, Kasandra, Letitia, Nakayla, Tamera, Audrea, Avalon, Azul, Breasia, Breonna, Brienne, Chevelle, Daysha, Delana, Dezarae, Iyonna, Jacquetta, Jaleah, Jamiyah, Kaleena, Marlaina, Nereida, Sharae, Shasta, Shiann, Shianne, Tamiyah, Tiarra, Triniti, Venetia, Alaynna, Ambrielle, Arietta, Arlana, Ashanty, Aslyn, Blessin, Breyana, Carrissa, Cerissa, Chrissa, Christia, Cieara, Dannika, Daphanie, Dayonna, Demiyah, Deniyah, Desaree, Deshay, Destani, Deziray, Dilyn, Eldana, Faithlyn, Gwenivere, Gwynevere, Jacelynn, Jakyla, Jakyra, Jalaysia, Jaleen, Jaleigha, Jalena, Jaleyah, Jalysa, Jasmaine, Jaylie, Jazlyne, Jeilyn, Jenai, Kabrina, Kalissa, Kamyra, Karessa, Kawana, Keyasia, Kiandra, Kieara, Kierston, Kristia, Kyasia, Lanasia, Landra, Lanessa, Laryn, Layloni, Leandrea, Lorielle, Makalah, Malaysha, Marlisa, Meleny, Merci, Mikalah, Mikiyah, Morgana, Mykia, Myonna, Nakyla, Nalayah, Natarsha, Natavia, Oceana, Oceanna, Raeven, Raigan, Shanyah, Sharina, Shianna, Shylee, Talise, Tamiah, Tanga, Tayana, Tayanna, Taylyn, Taysha, Teonna, Tiarah, Tkeyah, Torianna, Triana, Tristina, Tyanne, Tyliah, Tylisha, Tytianna, Adrieanna, Alayja, Alnisa, Alycea, Arabia, Ashonti, Aundria, Brilynn, Brionne, Briyonna, Brystal, Caleigha, Caria, Cevyn, Charisa, Charmion, Chassie, Chayna, Cherysh, Ciearra, Cierrah, Corianna, Correna, Dalayna, Daneka, Darionna, Darlen, Denisia, Destynee, Dulcinea, Dynasia, Enora, Felicha, Gaynor, Gwenevere, Gwenneth, Imunique, Jalasia, Jamyria, Janesha, Jaretssi, Jaselyn, Jashayla, Jatoria, Jazlynne, Kalicia, Kashay, Katerra, Kearstyn, Keiarra, Kelbi, Keyarra, Kierrah, Kilyn, Kiyonna, Klarisa, Ladasia, Makita, Malaiyah, Marlaysia, Moranda, Neylan, Seairra, Seniyah, Shamara, Shantasia, Shanyla, Shyasia, Tanessa, Tarissa, Teasia, Terea, Teriana, Trella, Trishelle, Tristine, Troi, Tynasia, Zandrea, Adreonna, Antavia, Arionne, Cambrea, Dalicia, Jadae, Jalaina, Jalayia, Jaleiah, Jazmaine, Lakeyn, Morgaine, Shilynn, Amaranta, Annaston, Arryanna, Aubrionna, Breniyah, Briawna, Brixtyn, Bryauna, Calena, Carrina, Cashay, Chandel, Charae, Charnay, Chatara, Chrisha, Cierah, Cierria, Daionna, Damyiah, Danaka, Darchelle, Darissa, Dayjah, Dayshia, Denajah, Derriana, Desani, Deyona, Dezaria, Ebany, Elantra, Falicity, Felcia, Guenevere, Halaina, Halani, Jadelin, Jaedah, Jakyrah, Jaline, Janaisha, Janaysia, Janisa, Jarica, Jashanti, Jaszmine, Jazmon, Jenaveve, Jenisa, Jetaime, Joniya, Justise, Kadasia, Kahlee, Kairie, Kayleana, Kebrina, Keiandra, Keirston, Kharizma, Kordelia, Landi, Lanijah, Laurana, Lelaina, Lyann, Maclovia, Makaylia, Marenda, Martasia, Mekaila, Merliah, Merlina, Mikeya, Morganna, Mykela, Mykeria, Nashali, Nimue, Oceane, Ondine, Promiss, Prue, Quaniyah, Quantia, Quierra, Raevin, Rowene, Salisa, Sarissa, Shadiamond, Shalayah, Shantana, Shatira, Shawnia, Shyane, Shylin, Tacia, Taejah, Tamantha, Tamerra, Tanara, Tanaysia, Taneil, Tanyiah, Tashianna, Tashyra, Tationna, Tavonna, Tearia, Telissa, Tianni, Titiana, Tiyonna, Traniya, Trinady, Trissa, Tyniah, Tyrea, Tyshia

Brothers: Lucas, Julian, Sebastian, Adrian, Gabriel, Adrien, Baron, Caspian, Darion, Darrius, Davion, Daylon, Jacolby, Javion, Kamron, Keyon, Kyree, Marquise, Merlin, Treveon, Aramis, Bayron, Brodrick, Bryton, Damarion, Dameon, Darrien, Darrion, Darris, Daunte, Davante, Daven, Daymon, Demarion, Dereon, Derian, Dione, Glendon, Jadarius, Jahiem, Jaire, Javian, Juston, Kamarion, Kavion, Kavon, Kaydin, Markell, Martez, Percival, Raylon, Taurean, Taylon, Tayvion, Travion, Tremaine, Trevis, Treyton, Tyran, Tyshon, Xavien, Xavion, Zaylen, Artin, Bayard, Baylon, Braelon, Breyden, Caedyn, Camarion, Chantz, Daevion, Daevon, Daivon, Damarco, Damontae, Dareon, Davontay, Deavon, Demarious, Demontre, Derion, Deveon, Devere, Devone, Dmari, Gavon, Gracin, Jacorian, Jadrian, Jaelon, Jaevon, Jaivion, Jamarian, Jamarious, Jamaris, Jamarri, Jamarrion, Jaryn, Jayshaun, Jayshon, Jessejames, Kadrian, Kayvion, Kemonte, Keylon, Keyontae, Kierre, Kohlton, Kyrell, Lancelot, Leondre, Ravon, Raysean, Renly, Tarence, Tarren, Tarrence, Taveon, Tayven, Tayveon, Teron, Terrian, Tevon, Tierre, Timothey, Torren, Tracen, Trayson, Trayvion, Trevian, Trevyn, Tyaire, Tydus, Tyrece, Tyreece, Tyrelle, Tyrrell, Weylin, Xayvion, Zaquan, Alontae, Ashaun, Aundrey, Bralyn, Brendin, Brenson, Bryndon, Cadarius, Canden, Cavon, Caylon, Chandon, Chrishaun, Cristan, Dacoda, Daelon, Daesean, Daeshaun, Daishawn, Daltyn, Damarious, Darreon, Dartanian, Davyon, Devereaux, Dexton, Draylon, Dvante, Jakarie, Jakell, Jamaury, Jarian, Jashun, Jauan, Javeion, Jaysun, Jazier, Jerrion, Jovonte, Jshawn, Kailon, Kaivon, Kashon, Keniel, Kenston, Kevaughn, Keyvon, Koven, Martavis, Monterio, Oberon, Perrion, Raydon, Saivon, Taeveon, Taevon, Taivon, Talen, Taysean, Teyon, Travious, Travius, Trendon, Treon, Trevante, Trevaun, Trevelle, Tyreon, Tyresse, Urian, Damyon, Jailan, Jakolby, Jshaun, Keisean, Khameron, Kristion, Tameron, Aceton, Ahmarion, Ardian, Bijon, Bralon, Brayen, Brydan, Cavion, Coreyon, Cortlan, Daelen, Daisean, Damareon, Dareion, Dariell, Darkiel, Dartanion, Dayshaun, Divante, Donavyn, Draedyn, Drezden, Graisyn, Jacorie, Jaesean, Jaeveon, Jamarien, Jaquavis, Jaryan, Jatavian, Joevon, Josten, Jovaun, Jowan, Kadarrius, Kaiyon, Kayvan, Keidrick, Kerrion, Keyante, Khaidyn, Khamron, Khilyn, Khyron, Kiondre, Kionte, Kishaun, Kmarion, Kohyn, Kymere, Marcquis, Marquin, Myshawn, Oberyn, Quamel, Quindell, Quintavis, Raevon, Rayjon, Ryelan, Sandon, Savaughn, Shaydon, Sinjin, Taesean, Taevion, Taijon, Tandre, Tanyon, Tavaras, Terik, Terrius, Tobyn, Tradarius, Travian, Trayven, Trelon, Trestan, Trevaris, Treydon, Treylin, Treyveon, Trindon, Trinten, Tylek, Tyrann, Weyland, Wyndham, Zanden, Zhyaire, Zyshonne

Names like Tristan

Names whose popularity has moved with Tristan's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

T is for Tristan, our favorite little boy.

T is for Tristan…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Tristan's letter becomes Tristan's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Tristan's book

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Tristan mean?
The meaning of Tristan is uncertain but is often associated with the Celtic word for 'noise' or 'sorrowful'.
How popular is the name Tristan today?
In 2025, Tristan ranked 309th in the United States, meaning approximately 1 in 1,549 baby boys received the name.
Is Tristan a boy or girl name?
Tristan is predominantly a boy's name, though it has occasionally been used for girls.