Tristan
Tristan is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Bold or tumult; historically associated with sorrow through Old French influence.
Origin and history
Tristan is derived from the Celtic name Drystan, associated with the famed Arthurian legend of Tristan and Iseult. The name was later influenced by the Old French word 'triste', meaning sad. It gained significant popularity in the United States during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Popularity in the United States
124,243 babies in the United States have been named Tristan since 1880. It ranks #269 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #227.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.2 %)
- TX (9.8 %)
- FL (5.8 %)
- NY (5.4 %)
- GA (3.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 19 |
| 1950-1960 | 89 |
| 1960-1970 | 272 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,037 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,582 |
| 1990-2000 | 23,915 |
| 2000-2010 | 43,300 |
| 2010-2019 | 38,693 |
| 2020-2029 | 9,336 |
Famous people named Tristan
- Tristan Thompson: Basketball Player
Fun facts
- The name gained enduring worldwide fame through the medieval romantic tragedy of Tristan and Iseult.
- Originally from the Brythonic name Drystan, its spelling was altered in Old French due to the word 'triste'.