Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kian
BoyIrish, Persian· “ancient, enduring”
- Meaning
- ancient, enduring
- Origin
- Irish, Persian
- Pronunciation
- KEE-uhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #401
- US babies 2025
- 797
- Best rank
- #401 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Kian
Kian is an Irish and Persian name that is usually said to mean “ancient, enduring”.
Kian is an anglicized form of the Irish Cian, usually explained as "ancient" or "enduring". In Irish mythology Cian is the father of the hero-god Lugh, and the name was also borne by early Irish nobles. Kian is also a Persian name, linked to the ancient Kayanian kings of Iranian legend and often understood as "royal", so it has separate roots in two cultures. The name has grown in Ireland, Britain, the Netherlands and the United States in recent decades. It is pronounced KEE-uhn and sounds short, soft and modern. Cian is the Irish spelling.
Popularity over time
Kian first appears in US Social Security records in 1970. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 26 different years, starting in 2000. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #401, and its highest count, 797 babies. Use has grown 32% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #4,743 in 1980, #945 in 2000, #580 in 2010, and #401 in 2025. Of the 13,457 US boys named Kian since records began, 41% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 4,304 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Marcelo, Augustus, Raphael, Leandro, and Tadeo.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kian ranked highest in District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Nevada.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #133 | 7 |
| Hawaii | #136 | 8 |
| Nevada | #210 | 15 |
| California | #233 | 160 |
| Massachusetts | #280 | 21 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Kian is usually pronounced KEE-uhn, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with K and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Kian
A few middle names that flow with Kian: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kian
Similar names
Tristan Boy
TRIS-tihn
“uncertain; from Celtic Drust” · French
#309
Aidan Boy
AY-dihn
“little fire” · Irish
#326
Declan Boy
DEHK-luhn
“uncertain; often said full of goodness” · Irish
#139
Keegan Boy
KEE-gun
“son of Aodhagán” · Irish
#621
Ronan Boy
ROH-nuhn
“little seal” · Irish
#247
Killian Boy
KIHL-ee-uhn
“possibly 'little church'” · Irish
#418
Kieran Boy
KEER-uhn
“little dark one” · Irish
#389
Callan Boy
KA-luhn
“uncertain; from an Irish or Scottish surname” · Irish
#190
Lochlan Boy
LAHK-luhn
“land of lakes” · Scottish
#644
Cillian Boy
KIH-lee-uhn
“uncertain; possibly church or strife” · Irish
#507
Kylian Boy
KIH-lee-uhn
“form of Cillian; meaning uncertain” · Irish
#624
Dylan Boy
DIH-luhn
“son of the sea” · Welsh
#41
Lists that include Kian
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kian mean?
Kian is an Irish and Persian name that is usually said to mean “ancient, enduring”.
What is the origin of the name Kian?
Kian has Irish and Persian roots. Kian is an anglicized form of the Irish Cian, usually explained as "ancient" or "enduring".
Is Kian a popular name?
Yes. Kian ranked #401 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kian a boy or girl name?
Kian is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Kian?
Kian 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