Killian
Killian is a boy's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Little church or bright-headed.
Origin and history
Killian is derived from the Irish name Cillian, which is commonly associated with the Gaelic word for church or cell. It has a long history in Ireland through Saint Cillian, a 7th-century missionary. In recent decades, the name has gained consistent popularity in the United States, appealing to parents looking for a traditional yet modern Irish name.
Popularity in the United States
16,219 babies in the United States have been named Killian since 1880. It ranks #928 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #366.
States where it is most popular
- CA (8.8 %)
- TX (7.3 %)
- FL (6.6 %)
- NY (5.5 %)
- PA (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 5 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 132 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,090 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,824 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,883 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,280 |
Famous people named Killian
- Killian Peier: Ski jumper
- Killian Tillie: Basketball player
Nicknames
Kill, Killy
Fun facts
- Killian is the Anglicized spelling of the traditional Irish name Cillian.
- Saint Cillian was an Irish apostle to Bavaria in the seventh century.