Llewellyn

“Like a lion”

Wales origin · popularized by Llewellyn the Great

♂ 92% boys♀ 8% girls

#8035US 2023

10Births / yr

↑Rising

3.7kAll-time births

📅 Since 190600

How to pronounce Llewellyn

loo·EL·in

/ˌluː.ˈɛl.ɪn/ · stress on EL · 3 syllables

“Like a lion”

Wales origin · Unisex name

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.

🌿

How else can you spell Llewellyn?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Lewellyn

Spelling variant

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

How popular is Llewellyn right now?

Rising fast — up 2395 spots — currently #8035 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1915–2023#8035 · Top 5.9%

1915

1925

1930

1935

1940

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

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	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Llewellyn

Best Year1935Rank #2946

Peak Count13

Average Rank#7035

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1915 - 202310 years

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:

Mary Helen Margaret Anna Ruth

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?

WELSH

Llew

WELSH

LewellaLlewella

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

Wales · Derived from 'Llan',

Evelyn

England · wished for

Jewelyn

American · A blend of

Gwendalyn

Wales · Blessed ring

How is Llewellyn written in other languages?

Gender variants of Llewellyn

Lewella WELSH Llewella WELSH Lugubelenus ANCIENT CELTIC Belenus CELTIC MYTHOLOGY Lugus CELTIC MYTHOLOGY

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.