Dylan vs Sebastian
Dylan and Sebastian compared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys
In 2022, Dylan was ranked #91 and Sebastian #20 among boys in New South Wales, Australia.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2025, Dylan was ranked #72 and Sebastian #47 among boys in England and Wales.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
In 2025, Dylan was ranked #69 and Sebastian #125 among boys in Republic of Ireland.
New Zealand · Boys
In 2020, Dylan was ranked #80 and Sebastian #83 among boys in New Zealand.
Scotland · Boys
In 2024, Dylan was ranked #104 and Sebastian #116 among boys in Scotland.
Northern Ireland · Boys
In 2024, Dylan was ranked #154 and Sebastian #154 among boys in Northern Ireland.
Dylan and Sebastian over time
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Dylan and Sebastian over time
Dylan and Sebastian appear together in 5 published lists, across 132 years of shared records. Dylan held the stronger position in more years in 5 of them, Sebastian in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 2 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Dylan reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 5 of those lists, and Sebastian in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One took the other's place near the top
In New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Sebastian moved into the top 50 at #34 in 2013 as Dylan fell out of it to #65, having been #32 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2015, Sebastian moved ahead of Dylan in England and Wales · Boys — #34 and #38 the year before became #38 and #35.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Dylan and Sebastian changed places 4 times in New Zealand · Boys between 2002 and 2020, ending at #80 and #83.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 30 shared years in England and Wales · Boys, Dylan and Sebastian averaged 39.1 places apart, ending at #72 and #47.
- Longest-running competitions
Dylan and Sebastian were both ranked in England and Wales · Boys for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #72 and #47.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Boys38 shared years, 1971–2025
Dylan held the stronger position in 38 of those years, Sebastian in 0.
Highest recorded here: Dylan #7 in 1998, Sebastian #80 in 2017.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Dylan #69, Sebastian #125.
England and Wales · Boys30 shared years, 1996–2025
Dylan held the stronger position in 19 of those years, Sebastian in 11.
Highest recorded here: Dylan #16 in 2010, Sebastian #28 in 2018.
The order changed in 2015: Sebastian moved ahead. In 2014 they stood at #34 and #38; by 2015 that had become #38 and #35.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Dylan #72, Sebastian #47.
Northern Ireland · Boys24 shared years, 1999–2024
Dylan held the stronger position in 23 of those years, Sebastian in 0.
Highest recorded here: Dylan #8 in 2004, Sebastian #102 in 2015.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Dylan #154, Sebastian #154.
New South Wales, Australia · Boys22 shared years, 2000–2022
Dylan held the stronger position in 12 of those years, Sebastian in 10.
Highest recorded here: Dylan #15 in 2001, Sebastian #20 in 2022.
The order changed in 2013: Sebastian moved ahead. In 2012 they stood at #32 and #39; by 2013 that had become #65 and #34.
Most recent shared year, 2022: Dylan #91, Sebastian #20.
New Zealand · Boys18 shared years, 2002–2020
Dylan held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Sebastian in 3.
Highest recorded here: Dylan #18 in 2002, Sebastian #52 in 2018.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2020: Dylan #80, Sebastian #83.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Dylan
Pairs where Dylan shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Stephen vs Dylan
In 1996 they stood at #60 and #57 in England and Wales · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #716 and #72.
Stephen · Dylan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Conor vs Dylan
In 1996 they stood at #63 and #57 in England and Wales · Boys, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #578 and #72.
Conor · Dylan · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Dylan vs Richard
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #62 in England and Wales · Boys, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #72 and #431.
Dylan · Richard · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Dylan vs Rhys
In 1996 they stood at #57 and #54 in England and Wales · Boys, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #72 and #389.
Dylan · Rhys · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Sebastian
Pairs where Sebastian shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Sebastian vs Taylor
In 1996 they stood at #114 and #121 in England and Wales · Boys, 7 places apart; by 2025 they were #47 and #507.
Sebastian · Taylor · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sebastian vs Christian
Over 58 shared years in Norway · Boys, Sebastian rose about as far as Christian fell — from #415 and #71 in 1968 to #53 and #131 in 2025.
Sebastian · Christian · 58 shared years, 1968–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Sebastian vs Eirik
Over 58 shared years in Norway · Boys, Sebastian rose about as far as Eirik fell — from #415 and #72 in 1968 to #53 and #122 in 2025.
Sebastian · Eirik · 58 shared years, 1968–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Finn vs Sebastian
Over 58 shared years in Norway · Boys, Sebastian rose about as far as Finn fell — from #81 and #415 in 1968 to #153 and #53 in 2025.
Finn · Sebastian · 58 shared years, 1968–2025 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from New South Wales, Australia lists
Pairs measured inside New South Wales, Australia's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- Thomas vs Edward
Over 70 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Edward fell — from #44 and #48 in 1952 to #13 and #75 in 2025.
Thomas · Edward · 70 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Alexander vs Edward
Over 67 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Edward fell — from #80 and #48 in 1952 to #22 and #75 in 2025.
Alexander · Edward · 67 shared years, 1952–2025 · Mirrored each other
- Thomas vs Andrew
Over 63 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Thomas rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #44 and #51 in 1952 to #8 and #89 in 2016.
Thomas · Andrew · 63 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
- Andrew vs Alexander
Over 60 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Andrew fell — from #51 and #80 in 1952 to #89 and #9 in 2016.
Andrew · Alexander · 60 shared years, 1952–2016 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 2020s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 2020 and 2029.
- Grace vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #41 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2025 they were #27 and #4867.
Grace · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Ella vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #56 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 6 places apart; by 2025 they were #46 and #4867.
Ella · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Jasmine vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #55 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 5 places apart; by 2025 they were #102 and #4867.
Jasmine · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
- Anna vs Gemma
In 1996 they stood at #47 and #50 in England and Wales · Girls, 3 places apart; by 2025 they were #142 and #4867.
Anna · Gemma · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Dylan | Sebastian |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Editorially researched profile |
| Gender usage | male | male |
| Meaning | Traditionally associated with the sea/tide — popularly glossed as 'great tide' or 'born from the sea', reflecting the mythological figure's role. Some scholars theorise the figure may reflect an earlier, otherwise unattested Celtic sea god — treat as a proposed origin, not settled fact. | Traditionally interpreted as 'venerable' or 'revered' — from Latin Sebastianus, 'from Sebaste' (a city in Asia Minor), whose own name derives from a Greek word used to translate the Roman imperial title Augustus. |
| Origin | Welsh | Latin, from Greek |
| Pronunciation | /ˈdɪlən/ | /səˈbæstʃən/ |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #69 (2025) | New South Wales, Australia · Boys #31 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Dylan is recorded with a Welsh origin, while Sebastian is recorded with a Latin, from Greek origin.
- Dylan has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Sebastian.
- Dylan's recorded meaning differs from Sebastian's — see the table above for each.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZ.
How each name got here
Dylan
Popularity journey
First recorded1969
First recorded at #246 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1969 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1980–2020
Highest recorded position: #7 among boys in New Zealand, in 1992 (recorded 1980–2020).
New Zealand · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2006 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Sebastian
Popularity journey
First recorded1968
First recorded at #415 among boys in Norway in 1968 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1968–2025
Highest recorded position: #6 among boys in Norway, in 2006 (recorded 1968–2025).
Norway · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #47 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys