Devlin is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Dabhléin, which means "descendant of David". The name David in Hebrew means "beloved" or "uncle".
The name Devlin has a rich history that dates back to ancient Ireland. In Irish mythology, there was a chieftain named Dubhthach who had a son called Devlin. This Devlin went on to become a famous warrior and king of Connacht, one of the four provinces of Ireland.
Over time, the surname Ó Dabhléin became anglicized to Devlin, and it is now primarily used as a given name in English-speaking countries. Despite its Irish origins, the name Devlin has gained popularity around the world due to its unique sound and distinctive spelling.
Some notable people who bear the name Devlin include American actor Dev Patel, known for his role in Slumdog Millionaire, and Australian musicianDevendra Banhart. However, these individuals are not related to each other or to any specific lineage of the Irish surname Ó Dabhléin.
The name Devlin experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. It started with a steady increase from the late 60s to the early 70s, peaking at 52 births in 1983. After this peak, there was a gradual decline until the mid-90s, when it began to rise again, reaching an all-time high of 140 births in 2007. Since then, Devlin has seen a consistent decrease in popularity, with only 22 births recorded in 2023. In total, from 1957 to 2023, there have been 3219 children named Devlin born worldwide.