Dylan is a given name of Welsh origin, famously borne by poet Dylan Thomas and musician Bob Dylan. Its etymology is rooted in the Welsh prefix dy meaning "to, toward" and llanw meaning "tide, flow," though it is often interpreted as "son of the sea" or "born from the ocean."Mythological OriginsIn Welsh mythology, Dylan (also known as Dylan ail Don) appears in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi. He is the son of Arianrhod and twin brother of Lleu Llaw Gyffes. Immediately after baptism, he took to the sea and could swim as well as a fish. He was accidentally slain by his uncle Gofannon. Some theories suggest Dylan may derive from an earlier Celtic sea god, though this is not definitively attested.Notable BearersWelsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914–1953) is one of the most famous bearers, known for his works like Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night. American musician Bob Dylan (born 1941), originally Robert Zimmerman, adopted his stage surname from Dylan Thomas. Later pop culture popularity was boosted by a character on Beverly Hills 90210 in the 1990s. Among sports figures, there are Filipino basketball player Dylan Ababou (born 1986) and Australian wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott (born 1990).DistributionThough historically a Welsh name, Dylan gained widespread use in English-speaking countries in the 20th century. In 2010, it was the most popular Welsh name for boys in Wales. Variants include Dillan and Dillon.Meaning: "son of the sea" or "great tide"Origin: Welsh, from dy (to, toward) + llanw (tide, flow)Type: Given name (also used as surname)Usage regions: Wales, United States, Australia, Philippines