What does Llewelyn mean and where does it come from?
Llewelyn (Welsh: Llywelyn) is a traditional Welsh name, historically associated with Welsh princes, particularly Llywelyn the Great (1173–1240) and his grandson, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. The name is derived from 'llew' meaning 'lion' in Welsh. Although historically male, it has been adopted as a female
Cultural significance
Llewelyn has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Wales-speaking communities, where it reflects values of welsh.
Peak popularity
Reached #4391 in 2024 — currently #5516 in the US.
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Related Reading
Wales-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Llewelyn?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Llewelyn?
Llewelyn works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Llewelyn Jack
One syllable · timeless choice
Llewelyn John
One syllable · timeless choice
Llewelyn Miles
One syllable · vintage charm
Llewelyn Beau
One syllable · on the rise
Llewelyn Brooks
One syllable · timeless choice
Llewelyn Gael
One syllable · timeless choice
How popular is Llewelyn right now?
Falling — down 1125 spots — currently #5516 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2025 | #5516 | 17 | ▼ down 1125 · -29% births |
| 2024 | #4391 | 24 | ▲ up 2355 · +85% births |
| 2023 | #6746 | 13 | ▼ down 57 |
| 2022 | #6689 | 13 | ▲ up 1229 · +30% births |
| 2021 | #7918 | 10 | ▲ up 7239 · +100% births |
| 2020 | #15157 | 5 | — |
The story of Llewelyn
Llewelyn is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2017. With 111 total births recorded, Llewelyn remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #15157 in 2020 to #6746 in 2023. Llewelyn is used for both genders: 9% female and 91% male.
Names that peaked alongside Llewelyn in 2024:
Llewelyn by decade
Llewelyn peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1910s | 13 | |
| 1920s | 20 | |
| 1950s | 22 | |
| 1960s | 7 | |
| 1970s | 15 | |
| 2010s ★ | 23 | |
| 2020s | 52 | |
💎Llewelyn has only 111 total recorded births since 2017 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Llewelyn?
ANCIENT CELTIC
Lugubelenus
CELTIC MYTHOLOGY
BelenusLugus
What names sound and feel like Llewelyn?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Llewelyn also consider these
How is Llewelyn written in other languages?
What are the girl versions of Llewelyn?
Common questions about the name Llewelyn
What does the name Llewelyn mean?
Llewelyn means "Welsh" — 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 Llewelyn?
Llewelyn is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Llewelyn have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Llewelyn?
Llewelyn 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 Llewelyn?
Llewelyn is a three-syllable name pronounced LOO-il-in. 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 Llewelyn?
Llewelyn 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.