Nolan
Nolan is a boys' name of Irish origin meaning “descendant of the champion.” It ranked #65 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Nolan?
NOH-lun
where does the name Nolan come from?
From the Irish surname Ó Nualláin, meaning descendant of Nuallán, a personal name built on nuall — a word for a shout or a cry, from which the sense of a champion or noted person is generally derived.
An Irish surname from Gaelic 'Ó Nualláin,' meaning descendant of Nuallán, which derives from 'nuall' meaning champion or noble. It has transitioned smoothly from surname to first name, popular across the United States.
how popular is this name?
Nolan has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 138 years since 1881, and fell outside it for 7. It peaked at #57 in 2023, and ranked #65 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #65 |
| 2024 | #64 |
| 2023 | #57 |
| 2022 | #65 |
| 2021 | #60 |
| 2020 | #61 |
| 2019 | #65 |
| 2018 | #65 |
| 2017 | #67 |
| 2016 | #67 |
| 2010 | #104 |
| 2000 | #182 |
| 1990 | #302 |
| 1980 | #465 |
| 1970 | #606 |
| 1960 | #608 |
| 1950 | #449 |
| 1940 | #383 |
| 1930 | #438 |
| 1920 | #485 |
| 1910 | #501 |
| 1900 | #623 |
| 1881 | #866 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Nolan fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Nolan
The Ó Nualláin were a family of County Carlow with a hereditary role in the inauguration of the kings of Leinster. The surname travelled widely with Irish emigration, and its use as a given name is largely a twentieth-century American development, rising steadily from the 1970s into the top hundred.
who are famous people named Nolan?
- Christopher Nolan (filmmaker)
- Nolan Ryan (baseball player)
what are the nicknames and variants of Nolan?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Nolan?
what names go well with Nolan?
Sibling names that share Nolan's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Nolan
What does the name Nolan mean?
Nolan means “descendant of the champion”.
What is the origin of the name Nolan?
Nolan comes from the Irish naming tradition. Related forms include Nolen and Noland.
How popular is the name Nolan?
Nolan ranked #65 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2023, at #57, and it has spent 138 years in the top 1,000 since 1881.
Is Nolan a boy or girl name?
Nolan is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Nolan?
Nolan is pronounced NOH-lun, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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