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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Nolan — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Nolah|Noland
Irish◈ Unisex · 54% boy · 46% girl→ Stable

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Nolan

◈

NOH-lan · 2 syllables

Share Nolan:
Compare with another name
Boy
#64
→ Stable
Boy
#64
Popularity score: 58
→ Stable
Peak
#57 in 2023
5yr
-7 ranks
Velocity
-7
Birth frequency
13.6 per 10,000 births
Girl
#4843
Popularity score: 14
↓ Fading
Peak
#4150 in 2021
5yr
-589 ranks
Velocity
-589
Birth frequency
7.8 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #64 · Stable since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Irish boy names
Nolan

Popularity score: 58  ·  SSA Rank: #64

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #4843 · Falling since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Irish girl names
Nolan

Popularity score: 14  ·  SSA Rank: #4843

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
45
Classic name. Score reflects popularity — see Popularity tab for full context.
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
→ Stable
-7 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
30
0 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class
Name DNA
IrishCelticNatureUnisex2-syllableModern-PopularStrong-CharacterEarthy
Character
noble characterstrong leadershipindependent spiritquiet determinationsteadfast loyalty
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Nolans

innovativevisionaryentrepreneurialpioneeringcreative
STRONG
High confidence

Nolan is an Irish unisex name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #64 in the US in 2024.

Trend:→ Stable · -7 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#64 · common
Nolan at a Glance
Meaning:Descendant of Nóelán, a diminutive of Noel. Ultimately derived from the Old Irish element meaning 'noble' or 'famous.'
Language root:Old Irish · Gaelic
Peak rank:#57 in 2023
5yr change:-7 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #64 · Girl #4843
Notable bearers
Nolan Ryan
Baseball Hall of Famer, legendary pitcher
Nolan Bushnell
Atari co-founder, video game pioneer
Nolan Gould
Actress from Modern Family
Similar Sound
Ronan◈RomanRoan◈Rowan◈Ryan◈
Similar Style
Soren◈Caspian◈Finn◈Stellan◈Beckett◈
Works Well With
Sibling names that pair naturally with Nolan
Wren◈IvyHazel◈PhoebeStellan◈Beckett◈Owen◈Declan◈
You Might Also Like
Soren◈
Scandinavian · #571
→ Stable
Caspian◈
Persian · #578
↑ Rising
Finn◈
Irish · #198
→ Stable
Stellan◈
Scandinavian · #1441
↑ Rising
Beckett◈
English · #166
→ Stable
Liam
Irish · #1
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Nolan illustration
Name Intelligence
Nolan · Overview
Summary

Nolan is an Irish unisex name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #64 in the US in 2024.

Strengths
Works for any sex
54% boy · 46% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature character
Nolan carries a grounded, cool quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Already in the top 100
At rank #64, you will likely encounter other Nolans. Consider whether that matters to you.
Domain taken
nolan.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

Add to watchlists or your list with + Save next to the name above.

Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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