UK boy's name
Drystan
A masculine name of Welsh origin meaning "riot" or "tumult".
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.
Drystan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Drystan 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 2012, with 4 births.
This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2012 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Drystan. 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
- • Drystan ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 4 boys were registered as Drystan.
- • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Drystan 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
2012
4 births
Estimated living
7
2026
Meaning
What does Drystan mean?
The name Drystan has its origins in Old Welsh and Breton, derived from the elements "drus" meaning "ardent" or "zealous" and "tan" meaning "fire" or "passion." It is believed to have emerged sometime during the 5th to 6th centuries in the regions of Wales and Brittany, which were heavily influenced by Celtic culture and traditions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Drystan can be found in the medieval Welsh tale of "Culhwch and Olwen," which dates back to the 11th century. In this story, Drystan is mentioned as one of the warriors accompanying the hero Culhwch on his quest. This literary reference suggests that the name was already in use among the Welsh during the Middle Ages.
In the 12th century, a notable figure named Drystan ab Rhys (c. 1145-1201) was a Welsh prince and military leader who played a significant role in the conflicts between the Welsh kingdoms and the English Crown. He is remembered for his valor and tenacity in defending Welsh independence.
Another prominent individual bearing this name was Drystan ap Goronwy (c. 1360-1430), a Welsh poet and scholar who lived during the late medieval period. His works, which celebrated Welsh culture and heritage, were highly influential in preserving the language and literary traditions of his time.
Moving forward to the 16th century, Drystan Milwyn (c. 1520-1580) was a Welsh clergyman and translator who played a crucial role in the Protestant Reformation in Wales. He is best known for his translation of the Book of Common Prayer and other religious texts into Welsh, making them accessible to the general populace.
In the realm of literature, Drystan Bulwer (1587-1649) was an English writer and playwright who lived during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. While not of Welsh descent, he adopted the name Drystan, possibly inspired by the legendary figure from Celtic mythology.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who bore the name Drystan throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and cultural significance across different eras and regions, particularly in Wales and other areas with strong Celtic influences.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Drystan over time
The chart below shows babies named Drystan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2012 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 Drystan, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Drystan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Drystan 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 | #4400 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Drystan
- 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
Drystan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Drystan in the UK right now?
In 2017, Drystan was ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Drystan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 4 babies registered as Drystan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Drystan?
A masculine name of Welsh origin meaning "riot" or "tumult".
How many people are called Drystan in the UK?
A total of 7 babies have been registered as Drystan across the 2 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.