UK boy's name
Dilon
An Anglicized form of the Irish name Diolún meaning "descendent of the loyal one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Dilon is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Dilon popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4812, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 5 births.
This profile covers 29 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 1997 to 2017. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 29 living people in the UK are called Dilon. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Dilon ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 5 boys were registered as Dilon.
- • About 29 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dilon as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4812
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2000
5 births
Estimated living
29
2026
Meaning
What does Dilon mean?
The name Dilon is believed to have originated from the Gaelic language and can be traced back to the early medieval period in Ireland and Scotland. Its roots lie in the Gaelic word "dubh" meaning "black" or "dark," and the suffix "-lon" derived from the word "lon," meaning "blackbird" or "meadow."
In ancient Celtic folklore, the blackbird was revered as a symbol of good fortune and was often associated with the underworld and the realm of the dead. This connection may have influenced the choice of the name Dilon for children, as it was believed to bestow protection and good luck upon the bearer.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dilon can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history dating back to the 15th century. The name appears in reference to a chieftain named Dilon O'Neill, who ruled over a territory in County Tyrone, Ireland, in the late 12th century.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Dilon. One such figure was Dilon Carragher (1770-1848), an Irish poet and songwriter from County Donegal, who is remembered for his contributions to the preservation of Irish folklore and traditional ballads.
Another prominent Dilon was Dilon MacCormick (1892-1975), a Scottish sculptor and artist celebrated for his works depicting scenes from Celtic mythology and rural life. His sculptures can be found in various public spaces across Scotland and the United Kingdom.
In the realm of literature, Dilon Fitzpatrick (1920-1987) was an Irish-American novelist and short story writer known for his works exploring themes of identity, immigration, and the Irish-American experience. His novel "The Binding of the Winds" received critical acclaim and was nominated for several literary awards.
Moving to more recent times, Dilon Jocko (1945-2012) was a prominent Native American activist and leader of the Lakota tribe. He played a crucial role in the American Indian Movement and was involved in the Wounded Knee Incident of 1973, a historic protest against the mistreatment of Native Americans.
While the name Dilon may not be as widely used today as it once was, its rich history and cultural significance continue to resonate, particularly within communities with Celtic and Irish heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Dilon over time
The chart below shows babies named Dilon registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Dilon, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Dilon by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dilon was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4691 | 15 | 5 |
| 2000s | #3153 | 11 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Dilon
- Daniel 120,900
- Dylan 60,836
- David 37,852
- Dominic 20,480
- Declan 11,657
- Dexter 11,627
- Danny 8,434
- Dean 5,329
- Dillon 4,113
- Douglas 3,773
- Dominik 3,494
- Damian 3,486
FAQ
Dilon: questions and answers
How popular is the name Dilon in the UK right now?
In 2017, Dilon was ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Dilon most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 5 babies registered as Dilon in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Dilon?
An Anglicized form of the Irish name Diolún meaning "descendent of the loyal one".
How many people are called Dilon in the UK?
A total of 29 babies have been registered as Dilon across the 9 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.