Nolan
Nolan is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Descendant of Nuallán, meaning champion, famous, or shout.
Origin and history
Nolan originates from the Irish surname Ó Nualláin, which derives from the word for champion or famous. Historically a traditional Irish surname, it transitioned into a popular given name throughout the English-speaking world. In the United States, it has experienced steady growth in recent decades and now stands as a well-established modern favorite.
Popularity in the United States
135,505 babies in the United States have been named Nolan since 1880. It ranks #251 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #61.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.8 %)
- TX (7.7 %)
- IL (4.8 %)
- OH (4.8 %)
- MI (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 31 |
| 1890-1900 | 75 |
| 1900-1910 | 174 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,021 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,674 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,822 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,003 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,960 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,494 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,006 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,678 |
| 1990-2000 | 11,791 |
| 2000-2010 | 26,374 |
| 2010-2019 | 50,045 |
| 2020-2029 | 30,357 |
Famous people named Nolan
- Nolan Ryan: baseball player, athlete
- Nolan Gould: actor
- Nolan Arenado: baseball player, athlete
Fun facts
- Nolan was originally an Irish Gaelic surname before gaining widespread adoption as a given name.
- The name has risen significantly in U.S. popularity since the turn of the 21st century.