Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Killian
BoyIrish· “possibly 'little church'”
- Meaning
- possibly 'little church'
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KIHL-ee-uhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #418
- US babies 2025
- 770
- Best rank
- #248 (2017)
- Peak year
- 2017
Meaning and origin of Killian
Killian is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “possibly 'little church'”.
Killian is an English form of the Irish Cillian. The name is often explained as coming from ceall, church, with a diminutive ending, giving little church, though some scholars link it to a word for strife. Saint Kilian was an Irish missionary who worked in Franconia in present-day Germany in the seventh century and is honored as a patron of Würzburg. Killian became popular outside Ireland in recent decades. It has a lively, Celtic sound and a touch of edge. Cillian is the traditional Irish spelling.
Popularity over time
Killian first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 23 different years, starting in 1995. Its best national rank was #248 in 2017, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,506 babies. In 2025, 770 babies were named Killian, and it ranked #418 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,648 in 1920, #1,043 in 2000, #766 in 2010, and #418 in 2025. Of the 16,219 US boys named Killian since records began, 49% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 5,280 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Tobias, Karson, Holden, Kyrie, and Gideon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Killian ranked highest in Vermont, South Dakota, and West Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #115 | 5 |
| South Dakota | #242 | 6 |
| West Virginia | #280 | 7 |
| Oklahoma | #286 | 17 |
| Oregon | #301 | 14 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Killian over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Killian is usually pronounced KIHL-ee-uhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with K and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Killian
A few middle names that flow with Killian: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Killian
Similar names
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Lucian Boy
LOO-shuhn
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Lists that include Killian
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Killian mean?
Killian is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “possibly 'little church'”.
What is the origin of the name Killian?
Killian has Irish roots. Killian is an English form of the Irish Cillian.
Is Killian a popular name?
Yes. Killian ranked #418 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Killian a boy or girl name?
Killian is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Killian over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Killian?
Killian is usually pronounced KIHL-ee-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