Tolan is an intriguing and uncommon given name of Irish origin. It's derived from the ancient Irish surname O'Toibin, which translates to "descendant of Tobin," a personal name thought to mean "little dark one." The name gained popularity in Ireland during the Middle Ages but has since become quite rare. Today, Tolan is often associated with its usage as a fictional character's name in various works of literature and media, contributing to its unique and distinctive sound.
The name Tolan experienced a significant rise in popularity during the late 1970s and early to mid-2000s, with peaks in 1973, 1975, 1992, and consistently from 2008 onwards. Despite fluctuations, there has been a consistent presence of Tolan births over the years, totaling 44 since 1973.