Nolan
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Champion; noble; descendant of a chariot fighter
Origin: Irish Gaelic — from Ó Nualláin, from nuall (famous, noble, chariot fighter)
Popularity: Ranked #65 in 2025 with 4,846 babies born.
History: Nolan is an Irish surname with Gaelic roots meaning champion or descendant of the famous one. Baseball legend Nolan Ryan — whose 5,714 career strikeouts remain the all-time record — gave it an athletic, all-American energy that has made it a popular first name. It entered the U.S. top 100 in the 2000s and has been climbing steadily. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan has added an intellectual, cinematic dimension. It has a clean, friendly sound that works equally well in any setting, from the pitcher's mound to the movie set.
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Nolan? About 1 in 684 babies born in 2025 were named Nolan, or roughly 13.3 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Nolan
What does the name Nolan mean?
Nolan means “Champion; noble; descendant of a chariot fighter” from Irish Gaelic — from Ó Nualláin, from nuall (famous, noble, chariot fighter) roots.
What is the origin of the name Nolan?
Nolan has Irish Gaelic — from Ó Nualláin, from nuall (famous, noble, chariot fighter) origin. The traditional meaning is “Champion; noble; descendant of a chariot fighter”.
How popular is Nolan?
Nolan ranked #65 in 2025 — given to 4,846 babies that year.
When was Nolan most popular?
Nolan peaked in 2015 with 5,739 babies registered that year.
Is Nolan a boy or girl name?
Nolan is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Nolans in registered births are male.
Is the name Nolan rising or falling in popularity?
Nolan has risen 4613 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #4678 in 2020 to #65 in 2025.
How long has Nolan been recorded?
Nolan appears in birth records across 139 years — from 1881 through 2025.