Dylan: the name of gods, poets and rock stars

Zeta-Jones has confirmed her Welsh roots

By Dick Durham, CNN.com writer

The origins of the name of Catherine Zeta Jones' baby boy go back to the ancient world. For Dylan is an old Welsh name probably brought to Britain by the Celts.

Name expert Patrick Hanks wrote in his Oxford University Press book, "Babies' Names": "It is of uncertain origin, probably connected with a Celtic word meaning 'sea'."

His research found it is likely to be the name of the "miraculously born son of Airanrhod, who became a minor sea god."

By the latter part of the 20th century the name became popular outside Wales because of the poet Dylan Thomas (1914-53) who was born in Swansea just near Mumbles, the birthplace of Zeta Jones.

When the US rock star Bob Dylan changed his surname from Zimmerman to Dylan as a tribute to the poet, the name grew even more popular.

Zeta Jones followed in the singer's footsteps by reportedly naming her first-born after the Welsh poet who wrote the play "Under Milk Wood." Zeta Jones appeared in a stage production of this, the most famous of Thomas' works.

Her own first name is of Greek origin meaning "pure." And the name "Zeta" comes from a ship her grandfather once sailed on.

Zeta Jones, who met Douglas while she was filming "Mask of Zorro," had always wanted to have a natural childbirth with the father at her side. "It will be a natural childbirth and I will be with Catherine in the delivery room," Douglas had said before his son's arrival.

By naming her baby, Dylan, Zeta Jones has confirmed her commitment to her roots in Wales. She was born in a Swansea housing estate and became one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, reportedly commanding $8 million per film. Her most recent movie is "High Fidelity" in which she stars with John Cusack.

Douglas has ensured his own name lives on through his son. Dylan's full name is Dylan Michael Douglas. An aide to the star, Allen Burry, said: "All three are doing very well."

Catherine Zeta-Jones gives birth to son
August 9, 2000

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