Tristan is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #253 in 2024 with 189 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2010 with 517 births ranking #121. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 24.4%. In 2024, approximately 1 in every 1,470 boys born was named Tristan. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Tristan probably goes back to the old Pictish name Drustan. In medieval French tales it was likely reshaped by association with the French word triste, meaning "sad", which coloured the romantic legend around it.
The name became famous through the medieval story of Tristan and Iseult and has stayed in use ever since. Its literary depth and long history give it much firmer roots than many modern sound-based names.