Tristan
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Tumult, outcry, or sad
Origin: Celtic/Latin
Popularity: Ranked #309 in 2025 with 1,103 babies born.
History: Tristan derives from the Celtic name Drustan or from the Latin 'tristis,' meaning sad. It is best known from the medieval romance of Tristan and Isolde, a tragic love story that became one of the foundational tales of European literature. The name spread widely through Arthurian legend and has remained popular in France, Britain, and the United States.
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Tristan? About 1 in 2,959 babies born in 2025 were named Tristan, or roughly 3.1 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Tristan
What does the name Tristan mean?
Tristan means “Tumult, outcry, or sad” from Celtic/Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Tristan?
Tristan has Celtic/Latin origin. The traditional meaning is “Tumult, outcry, or sad”.
How popular is Tristan?
Tristan ranked #309 in 2025 — given to 1,103 babies that year.
When was Tristan most popular?
Tristan peaked in 2008 with 5,659 babies registered that year.
Is Tristan a boy or girl name?
Tristan is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Tristans in registered births are male.
Is the name Tristan rising or falling in popularity?
Tristan has risen 3368 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #3677 in 2020 to #309 in 2025.
How long has Tristan been recorded?
Tristan appears in birth records across 79 years — from 1946 through 2025.