Tristan
Tristan is a boys' name of German origin meaning “sorrowful, tumult.” It ranked #204 in the United States in 2025. From the Arthurian legend of Tristan and Isolde, this name carries the bittersweet weight of doomed romance.
how do you pronounce Tristan?
TRIS-tun
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Tristan mean?
The name Tristan means “sorrowful, tumult.” It comes from the German language tradition.
From the Arthurian legend of Tristan and Isolde, this name carries the bittersweet weight of doomed romance. Wagner's opera 'Tristan und Isolde' cemented it in Germanic cultural tradition. Despite its melancholic meaning, the name sounds strong and romantic.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #204 |
| 2023 | #193 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
who are famous people named Tristan?
- Tristan Tzara (founder of the Dada movement)
- Tristan Thompson (professional basketball player)
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
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