noun
Uncommon
Nolan
NOH-luhn
Nolan (noun) means an Irish surname, and a first name derived from it. Example: “The director Christopher Nolan is known for mind-bending films like Inception.”
noun
1
An Irish surname, and a first name derived from it.
"The director Christopher Nolan is known for mind-bending films like Inception."
How to use Nolan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common Irish surname, also used as a given name.
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The director Christopher _____ is known for mind-bending films like Inception.
Etymology
Anglicized from the Irish surname Ó Nualláin, meaning "descendant of Nuallán," a name built on the word for a champion or chariot-fighter.
Rhymes for Nolan
See all rhymes for Nolan →Frequently asked questions
What does “Nolan” mean?
The word “Nolan” means an Irish surname, and a first name derived from it. In plain terms, a common Irish surname, also used as a given name.
How do you pronounce “Nolan”?
“Nolan” is pronounced NOH-luhn (/ˈnoʊlən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nolan” in a sentence?
Here is “Nolan” used in a sentence: “The director Christopher Nolan is known for mind-bending films like Inception.”
What part of speech is “Nolan”?
“Nolan” is a noun.
Where does the word “Nolan” come from?
The word “Nolan” comes from Irish. Anglicized from the Irish surname Ó Nualláin, meaning "descendant of Nuallán," a name built on the word for a champion or chariot-fighter.
Is “Nolan” a common word?
“Nolan” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is Nolan a boy's name or a girl's name?
Nolan is traditionally used as a masculine given name, though it originated as an Irish surname before becoming common as a first name. It is now widely used as a given name for boys.
What is the origin of the name Nolan?
Nolan originated as an Irish surname before being adopted as a given name. It is used both as a first name and a last name today.
Is Norris related to the name Nolan?
No, Nolan and Norris are distinct Irish and English surnames respectively, each with separate origins, though both are now also used as given names.
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