Nolan Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Nolan is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Nolan?
Nolan is spelled N-O-L-A-N. The name has 5 letters.
Nolan at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- “Nolan” is derived from the Irish surname Ó Nualláin, meaning “descendant of Nuallan”.
- Origin
- The name Nolan is derived from an Irish surname of Gaelic origin and is associated with Irish heritage.
- Pronunciation
- NOH-lun · 2 syllables
Nolan Popularity in 2025
Rank#6,116
Recorded Births19
Rank#65
Recorded Births4,846
- Girls usage fell 1,447 places to #6,116 and recorded 10 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage fell 1 place to #65 and recorded 54 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Nolan Mean?
“Nolan” is derived from the Irish surname Ó Nualláin, meaning “descendant of Nuallan”. The personal name Nuallan likely means “famous” or “noble.”
Origin: The name Nolan is derived from an Irish surname of Gaelic origin and is associated with Irish heritage.
How Do You Pronounce Nolan?
PronunciationNOH-lun
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Nolan?
- History
- Nolan has been used historically as a surname in Ireland and later adapted as a given name in English-speaking countries.
Nolan Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 19 | #6,116 |
| 2025 | Boys | 4,846 | #65 |
| 2024 | Girls | 29 | #4,669 |
| 2024 | Boys | 4,900 | #64 |
| 2023 | Girls | 34 | #4,191 |
| 2023 | Boys | 5,129 | #57 |
| 2022 | Girls | 27 | #4,907 |
| 2022 | Boys | 4,928 | #65 |
| 2021 | Girls | 35 | #4,090 |
| 2021 | Boys | 5,354 | #60 |
| 2020 | Girls | 28 | #4,648 |
| 2020 | Boys | 5,200 | #61 |
| 2019 | Girls | 36 | #4,006 |
| 2019 | Boys | 5,403 | #65 |
| 2018 | Girls | 29 | #4,662 |
| 2018 | Boys | 5,629 | #65 |
| 2017 | Girls | 28 | #4,811 |
| 2017 | Boys | 5,400 | #67 |
| 2016 | Girls | 23 | #5,622 |
| 2016 | Boys | 5,634 | #67 |
| 2015 | Girls | 18 | #6,721 |
| 2015 | Boys | 5,739 | #71 |
| 2014 | Girls | 20 | #6,207 |
| 2014 | Boys | 5,210 | #81 |
When Was Nolan Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2015 · Boys
5,739 recorded births
National rank #71
2016 · Boys
5,634 recorded births
National rank #67
2018 · Boys
5,629 recorded births
National rank #65
2019 · Boys
5,403 recorded births
National rank #65
Where Nolan Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| SD | #22 | 27 |
| RI | #22 | 25 |
| ME | #23 | 31 |
| AK | #27 | 18 |
| MS | #28 | 55 |
| NH | #34 | 31 |
| ND | #36 | 21 |
| MN | #40 | 110 |