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.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 0 | 19 |
| 1950s | 0 | 89 |
| 1960s | 77 | 272 |
| 1970s | 307 | 1,037 |
| 1980s | 1,388 | 7,582 |
| 1990s | 1,943 | 23,915 |
| 2000s | 1,978 | 43,300 |
| 2010s | 698 | 38,693 |
| 2020s | 160 | 9,336 |
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.
“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
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.

