Kilian
Kilian is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Little church, or bright-headed.
Origin and history
Kilian is an Anglicized form of the Old Irish name Cillín, derived from a word meaning church or cell combined with a diminutive suffix. The name is historically associated with Saint Kilian, a 7th-century Irish missionary bishop who traveled to Franconia. In the United States, usage has increased steadily in recent years alongside similar Irish and European names.
Popularity in the United States
2,690 babies in the United States have been named Kilian since 1880. It ranks #2498 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1041.
States where it is most popular
- CA (23.2 %)
- TX (15.2 %)
- FL (10.7 %)
- NY (9.7 %)
- PA (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 37 |
| 1980-1990 | 33 |
| 1990-2000 | 218 |
| 2000-2010 | 315 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,006 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,081 |
Famous people named Kilian
- Kilian Jornet: ultramarathon runner, mountaineer
- Kilian Overmeire: footballer
Fun facts
- Saint Kilian is widely celebrated as the patron saint of Würzburg, Germany.
- The 'C' spelling, Cillian, is often more common in Ireland, while 'Kilian' is widely recognized in mainland Europe.