Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Cian
BoyIrish· “ancient, enduring”
- Meaning
- ancient, enduring
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KEE-uhn
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,310
- US babies 2025
- 148
- Best rank
- #1,039 (2007)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Cian
Cian is an Irish name that means “ancient, enduring”.
Meaning 'ancient' or 'enduring', Cian is one of the oldest names in the Irish tradition. In Irish mythology Cian is the father of the hero Lugh, and the name also belonged to warriors and nobles in early Irish history. Cian remains popular in Ireland and has gained attention in other English-speaking countries. The name is short and has a gentle, strong sound. The usual pronunciation is KEE-uhn, rhyming with Ian, which sometimes surprises English speakers. Kian and Kean are anglicized spellings.
Other spellings with the same sound: Shean.
Popularity over time
Cian first appears in US Social Security records in 1976. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,039 in 2007, the same year it reached its highest count of 181 babies. In 2025, 148 babies were named Cian, and it ranked #1,310 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #5,642 in 1980, #1,668 in 2000, #1,324 in 2010, and #1,310 in 2025. Of the 3,724 US boys named Cian since records began, 38% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 1,184 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Nate, Javian, Sebastien, Jakub, and Trenten.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cian ranked highest in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #560 | 8 |
| New Jersey | #580 | 12 |
| Virginia | #746 | 9 |
| Colorado | #780 | 6 |
| New York | #851 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Cian is usually pronounced KEE-uhn, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with C and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Shean.
Middle names for Cian
A few middle names that flow with Cian: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cian
Similar names
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REE-uhn
“little king” · Irish
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ROHN
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Sean Boy
SHAWN
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Kian Boy
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Brayan Boy
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Lian Boy
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Finn Boy
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Brendan Boy
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Brennan Boy
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Jean Unisex
JEEN
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Tristian Boy
TRIHS-tee-uhn
“uncertain; variant of Tristan” · Welsh
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Rayyan Boy
ry-AHN
“well-watered, luxuriant” · Arabic
#1,010
Lists that include Cian
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cian mean?
Cian is an Irish name that means “ancient, enduring”.
What is the origin of the name Cian?
Cian has Irish roots. Meaning 'ancient' or 'enduring', Cian is one of the oldest names in the Irish tradition.
Is Cian a popular name?
Not especially. Cian ranked #1,310 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cian a boy or girl name?
Cian is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Cian?
Cian is usually pronounced KEE-uhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings