The nameKillian
Killian is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning "little church" or "little warrior". The name of an Irish saint, it is popular in Ireland and France.
- Boy's name
- Irish
Meaning
Killian comes from the Irish Cillín, often linked to ceall, "church", or ceallach, "strife". Its meaning is discussed.
Origin
Irish. Saint Kilian, an Irish monk, evangelised Franconia, in Germany, and was martyred at Würzburg around 689.
History
Killian is popular in Ireland and France, and reached the American top 250. Cillian Murphy uses the Irish spelling.
Did you know?
- The Irish actor Cillian Murphy won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2024 for Oppenheimer.
Famous people named Killian
- Saint Kilian
- Cillian Murphy, actor (Cillian)
- Kylian Mbappé, footballer (Kylian)
Popularity of the name Killian
Killian in the United States
Killian was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 8,061 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Killian. Its rise began around 1995, and it peaked in 2017. Half of all babies named Killian in the United States were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 917 births a year on average, against 1,257 in the five years before.
Killian in the United Kingdom
Killian was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 517 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Killian. Half of all babies named Killian in the United Kingdom were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 86 births a year.
Killian in Ireland
Killian in France
Killian in Belgium
Sibling names for Killian
Names from the same generation as Killian, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Killian? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Killian with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Killian side by side with the name of your choice.
Killian in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Killian mean?
Killian comes from the Irish Cillín, often linked to ceall, "church", or ceallach, "strife". Its meaning is discussed.
What is the origin of the name Killian?
Irish. Saint Kilian, an Irish monk, evangelised Franconia, in Germany, and was martyred at Würzburg around 689.
Is Killian a girl's or a boy's name?
Killian is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Killian?
In 2024, Killian was the 369th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 884 births.
What are good sibling names for Killian?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Thea, Amina, Norah and Leia for a sister, Finn, Ronan, Sullivan and Tobias for a brother.
Who are famous people named Killian?
Saint Kilian; Cillian Murphy, actor (Cillian); Kylian Mbappé, footballer (Kylian).