Llewellyn is a unique and distinctive Welsh name with a rich history and beautiful meaning. Derived from the Welsh elements "llwy" which means "leader" or "chieftain", and "elwyn" which translates to "friend" or "ally", Llewellyn means "leader of friends" or "ally of chieftains".
The name has a strong connection to Welsh history, as it was borne by several prominent figures. One of the most notable is Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (1228-1282), also known as Llywelyn the Last, who was the final native Prince of Wales before the conquest by Edward I of England in 1283.
Despite its historical roots, Llewellyn remains relatively uncommon today. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it has never ranked among the top 1000 most popular boy names in the United States, making it a unique choice for parents looking for something different.
In terms of pronunciation, Llewellyn is typically pronounced as "loo-EH-lin" with the stress on the second syllable. It can also be spelled in various ways, including Llewelyn, Llywelyn, and even Lewellyn.
Overall, Llewellyn is a name with a strong connection to Welsh history and culture, a beautiful meaning, and a distinctive sound that makes it stand out from other names. Its rarity today makes it an appealing choice for parents looking for something unique and meaningful for their child.
The name Llewellyn experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable spike during World War I (1914-1918). Between 1910 and 1923, there were consistently high numbers of births registered for this name, peaking at 69 births in 1916 and 68 births in 1918. However, popularity declined rapidly afterwards, dropping to as low as five births per year from the late 1940s onwards, with a few exceptions in the early 2000s and recently in 2020-2023. Overall, Llewellyn has been relatively uncommon throughout most of the past century.