Dillon, like most British surnames, was in occasional use as a given name in English speaking countries from the start of the 19th century onward. There are many examples of men with Dillon as a first name in the USA well before Dylan occurs. So though it is certainly true that Dillon's recent wide use as a given name is simply as a spelling variation of Dylan, it did exist as a given name before Dylan was used as such in English.
Well, since people seem to think that Bob Dylan had something to do with Dylan's success as a given name, surely the original Matt Dillon, the marshal character on the very long-running American western show "Gunsmoke", had something to do with many parents using Dillon as a spelling once the name became popular. The character and the program first began on radio in 1952, where Matt Dillon was played by William Conrad. The television version, with the character played by James Arness, began in 1955 and lasted until 1975, at the time the longest running "scripted" American series ever. Reruns of it are still frequently found on cable TV in 2023.
Personally, I prefer the spelling "Dylan". It pays homage to one of my favourite singers, Bob Dylan, and it has a more intuitive spelling (though I've heard people pronounce Dylan as "die-lan", so perhaps I'm in the wrong here).
In 2018, 18 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Dillon who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 758th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens. In 2018, 2 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Dillon who is registered female with the Social Security Administration. It is the 15, 992nd most common female first name for living U.S. citizens.
Dillon is the older spelling (being taken from the surname) so Dylan is the poser. My boyfriend's name is Dillon and he hates it. His sister nicknamed him Dill pickle among other things (if you think about it, you will get it). People are constantly misspelling and mispronouncing his name. The most common issue is that people try to spell it Dylan or Dillion.
GibsonGirl, Dillon and Dylan have no common root, and Dillon is not "older" than Dylan. Dillon is an Irish surname and Dylan is Welsh male given name. I guess Dylan is more legitimate as a given name if you're going by history, but many names have evolved from surnames to become given names and I don't know why people get so angry about it. Language evolves and nothing will stop it except humanity ending.
― Anonymous User 10/18/2018
5
Haha ... it has dill in it. As you, "You big dill".
The name Dillon can be literally translated to "man from the sea."
― Anonymous User 7/20/2006
-2
As was said before Dillon means "faithful". Dylan has to do with the sea. Dillon is usually a surname, Dylan is a first name. Dillon is Irish and Dylan is Welsh. In other words they mean two completely different things with two completely different origins.
― Anonymous User 10/25/2006
4
Actor Matt Dillon is a famous bearer.
― Anonymous User 12/23/2005
2
Dillon is an Irish surname (although not Gaelic in origin) which means "loyal and true". It was introduced into Ireland from France during the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 1200s. Dylan is unrelated to Dillon, it is a first name of Welsh origin.
― Anonymous User 8/26/2005
3
Means "faithful".
― Anonymous User 5/7/2005
0
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