The name Nolan is a girl's name meaning "champion".

Two Syllable Names for Girls

5 Letter Girl Names

Names Ending in N for Girls

Names That Mean Champion

Top Baby Names 2024 Revealed!

Top Baby Names 2024: The Playground Analysis

Baby Name Trends 2026

Top Baby Names 2025: The Playground Analysis

Strong Boy Names: The Ultimate Guide

“Bo” Names are Booming

The Most Popular Baby Name Endings of 2023

French Baby Names: The best from Brittany

Younger Parents Most Adventurous Baby Namers

Ethiopian Names are Rooted in Tradition

Top Boys Name For Each Letter: a 130-year survey

Irish Baby Names: Top Choices Here and There

20 Most Controversial Baby Names

An increasingly viable option for girls, perhaps influenced by the rise of similar-sounding Nola and unisex names more generally.

⛰️ names for a future mountain hymn

Names That Mean Winner

Boy Names for Girls

Nolan

Nameberry

The name Nolan peaked for girls at #2759 in 1911. The name is most popular in NOLAN, NOLAN, and NOLAN. Nolan is also used for boys, ranking #65 in 2025.

The name Nolan is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning "champion".

Irish Names

Irish Names for Boys

5 Letter Boy Names

Names Ending in N for Boys

Names that Peaked in 2018

Two Syllable Names for Boys

Names that Peaked in 2021

Boy Dog Names That Start With N

Dog Names That Start With N

Names that Peaked in 2023

Irish Names that Start With N

The friendly and sporty feeling Nolan blends some of the best qualities of other popular boy names. With the gentle but energetic sounds of Noah, a hint of the classic Nicholas, and the cool, surname-style vibe of Greyson or Colton, it makes for a familiar and grounded choice. 
Popularized by the baseball player, Nolan Ryan, Nolan has been steadily climbing up the charts since the 1970s, and it entered the US Top 100 in 2011. While it has never been a Top 50 name, it is given to a substantial 5000 babies every year. 
Nolan is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Nuallán, meaning "noble and famous" or "champion." 
This could give you the fun option of nickname Champ, while also providing the name with weight and history: the O’Nolans were once a chiefly Irish family, descended from the first Celts to settle in Ireland. 
A once very American feeling choice, Nolan is now more popular in France and Canada. It is on the rise in England and Wales too, a favorite in The Netherlands and Belgium, and at #22 in Hungary (albeit with the Hungarian spelling, Nolen). 
Notable Nolans include the fashion designer, Nolan Miller; the Modern Family actor, Nolan Gould; Marvel and DC voice actor, Nolan North; and the actor and singer Nolan Gerard Funk of Glee fame. Some may associate it with the Nolan Chart, a political spectrum diagram invented in the 60’s, while others may be more familiar with Nolan Chance, from the game Fortnite. 
Familiar and cool, grounded and approachable, Nolan continues to hold its steady place in the lower end of the US Top 100. 
Do you love Nolan but want some more inspiration? Other names inspired by Irish surnames include Nevan, Blaine, Riordan, Donnovan, and Callahan. For names that share a similar sound, Bowen, Milan, Noel, or Roland might appeal.

Stylish L Baby Names

Top Baby Names 2021

Irish Names for Dogs

Top 2010s Names

Nameberry's Top Boy Names of the 2010s

Golden Retriever Names

Vintage-Modern Fusion Names

Top 2020s Baby Names

Unisex Irish Names

American Boy Names 

Boy Names That Peaked in 2018

August Names

Dog Names

Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

Athletic Baby Names

Traveling Lite Baby Names

Irish Boy Names (with Meanings)

Top 100 Boy Names 2024

Irish

Canada

Future

England

scotland

France

Netherlands

Belgium

switzerland

The name Nolan is currently ranked #65 in U.S. births. and peaked for boys at #57 in 2023. The name is most popular in NOLAN, NOLAN, and NOLAN. Nolan is occasionally used for girls in 2025.

Nolan

Nolan Rank in US Top 1000

Nolan Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Popularity of the name Nolan

20 Names Similar to Nolan

The name Nolan in Nameberry Blog Posts

The name Nolan in Nameberry Forums

More Lists containing Nolan

Advanced Search

Advanced Search

Find your type.

The Nameberry App Is Live

The Nameberry App Is Live