Dylan

Dylan is a Welsh name derived from the elements dy, an intensifying prefix, and llanw, meaning tide or flow, giving an overall sense of great tide or great wave. In Welsh mythology, Dylan eil Ton — meaning Dylan, son of the wave — was a sea deity who immediately took to the sea after birth and swam as well as any fish. The name gained widespread modern use largely through the influence of the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, and later through musician Bob Dylan, who took the surname as a tribute to the poet. Dillan and Dillon are common variant spellings, while the Irish surname-turned-given-name Dillon is a distinct but often conflated form.