What does Llewellyn mean and where does it come from?
Llewellyn is a Welsh name that has roots in the old Welsh 'Llew', meaning 'lion', and 'gwen', meaning 'fair' or 'blessed'. The name Llewellyn was popularized by Llewellyn the Great, a 13th-century Welsh prince. The name is primarily used in Wales but is also found in other English-speaking countries
Cultural significance
Llewellyn has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Wales-speaking communities, where it reflects values of like a lion.
Peak popularity
Reached #1583 in 1906 — currently #8035 in the US.
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Related Reading
Wales-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Llewellyn?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Llewellyn?
Llewellyn works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Llewellyn Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Llewellyn Rose
Floral · soft ending
Llewellyn Mae
Sweet · timeless
Llewellyn Claire
French influence · crisp
Llewellyn Jane
Literary · strong
Llewellyn Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Llewellyn right now?
Rising fast — up 2395 spots — currently #8035 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #8035 | 10 | ▲ up 2395 · +43% births |
| 2022 | #10430 | 7 | ▼ down 3891 · -46% births |
| 2021 | #6539 | 13 | ▲ up 6811 · +117% births |
| 2020 | #13350 | 6 | ▼ down 1514 · -25% births |
| 2015 | #11836 | 8 | ▼ down 7444 · +60% births |
| 1940 | #4392 | 5 | ▼ down 1446 · -44% births |
| 1935 | #2946 | 9 | ▲ up 1125 · +50% births |
| 1930 | #4071 | 6 | ▲ up 376 |
| 1925 | #4447 | 6 | ▼ down 142 · +20% births |
| 1915 | #4305 | 5 | — |
The story of Llewellyn
Llewellyn entered American naming records in 1906 and has been in use for over 118 years. With 3,657 total births recorded, Llewellyn remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4305 in 1915, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #8035 in 2023. Llewellyn is used for both genders: 8% female and 92% male.
Names that peaked alongside Llewellyn in 1906:
Llewellyn by decade
Llewellyn peaked in the 1900s. See all 1900s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1880s | 72 | |
| 1890s | 84 | |
| 1900s | 77 | |
| 1910s | 517 | |
| 1920s ★ | 638 | |
| 1930s | 480 | |
| 1940s | 399 | |
| 1950s | 445 | |
| 1960s | 326 | |
| 1970s | 232 | |
| 1980s | 159 | |
| 1990s | 73 | |
| 2000s | 42 | |
| 2010s | 94 | |
| 2020s | 19 | |
💎With 3,657 total births, Llewellyn is an uncommon but established name.
What are good nicknames for Llewellyn?
ANCIENT CELTIC
Lugubelenus
CELTIC MYTHOLOGY
BelenusLugus
What names sound and feel like Llewellyn?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Llewellyn also consider these
How is Llewellyn written in other languages?
Gender variants of Llewellyn
Common questions about the name Llewellyn
What does the name Llewellyn mean?
Llewellyn means "Like a lion" — a name rooted in Wales tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Llewellyn?
Llewellyn is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Llewellyn have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Llewellyn?
Llewellyn originates from Wales tradition. Wales names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Llewellyn?
Llewellyn is a three-syllable name pronounced L UW2 EH1 L IH0 N. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Llewellyn?
Llewellyn pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Wales heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.