Julian Boy

Popularity: #25 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: JOO-lee-uhn //ˈdʒuːliən//

Origin: Latin; Greek

Meaning: Latin: youthful; Greek: downy

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Julian has its roots in the Latin name "Julianus," which is derived from "Julius," a prominent Roman family name believed to be linked to the Latin word "juvenilis," meaning "youthful" or "downy." The name was adopted into Greek as "Ioulianos" before making its way into Old French and eventually into Middle English as "Julian." This etymological journey reflects the name's deep connections to Roman heritage and its association with youthfulness and vitality. Historically, the name Julian has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Julian the Hospitaller, a revered figure in Christian hagiography from the 4th century, who is often depicted as a protector of travelers and the poor.

The name gained further prominence through Julian the Apostate, a Roman Emperor in the 4th century known for his attempts to restore paganism in the Roman Empire. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts, including the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible, which contributed to its dissemination throughout medieval Europe.

Culturally, Julian has been associated with themes of renewal and rebirth, reflecting its etymological ties to youth. The name has been embraced in various traditions, often linked to the Julian calendar, which was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BCE, marking a significant reform in timekeeping that influenced Western civilization.

The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Jules or Julio, which have been used in different cultures, further extending its legacy across linguistic boundaries.

Famous people named Julian

In this section, you will find notable people named Julian. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Julian who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Julian who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Julian Assange is a journalist and activist best known for founding WikiLeaks, publishing classified documents, and his legal battles over extradition.

Julian Lennon is a musician and photographer best known for his albums Valotte, Photograph Smile, and his work in environmental advocacy.

Julian Fellowes is a screenwriter and actor best known for creating Downton Abbey, writing Gosford Park, and his work on The Gilded Age.

Julian Sands is an actor best known for his roles in A Room with a View, Warlock, and Leaving Las Vegas.

Julian McMahon is an actor best known for his roles in Charmed, Nip/Tuck, and Fantastic Four.

Julian Glover is an actor best known for his roles in The Empire Strikes Back, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Game of Thrones.

Julian Cope is a musician and author best known for his work with The Teardrop Explodes, his solo albums, and his writings on archaeology and mythology.

Julian Barratt is a comedian and actor best known for his work on The Mighty Boosh and his role in Mindhorn.

Julian Rhind-Tutt is an actor best known for his roles in Green Wing, The Hour, and The Goldfinch.

Julian Ovenden is an actor and singer best known for his roles in Downton Abbey, The Royal, and The Last Kingdom.

Fictional characters named Julian

The following list of fictional characters named Julian is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Julian is a fictional character from the novel The Secret History by Donna Tartt. He is a charismatic and enigmatic professor who influences a group of students in a morally ambiguous academic setting.

Julian is a fictional character from the animated series The Magic School Bus. He is a student in Ms. Frizzle's class who often participates in the educational adventures.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Julian, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JasperJulietJuliusJunoJadeJordan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Julian. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

JulioJulesJuliusJovianJustusJaredJaxonJett

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Julian was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Julian has ranked as high as #52 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Julian has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Julian is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Julian was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Julian.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 7,626 7,603 23
2024 7,408 7,390 18
2023 7,117 7,097 20
2022 7,334 7,305 29
2021 7,723 7,693 30
2020 7,586 7,552 34
2019 8,475 8,443 32
2018 8,403 8,368 35
2017 8,477 8,455 22
2016 8,433 8,388 45
2015 8,090 8,064 26
2014 7,717 7,686 31
2013 7,562 7,521 41
2012 7,427 7,389 38
2011 7,662 7,627 35
2010 7,643 7,589 54
2009 7,435 7,388 47
2008 7,532 7,469 63
2007 6,849 6,781 68
2006 6,866 6,797 69
2005 6,194 6,116 78
2004 5,742 5,673 69
2003 5,474 5,410 64
2002 5,297 5,223 74
2001 5,028 4,944 84
2000 4,694 4,590 104
1999 3,296 3,218 78
1998 3,137 3,053 84
1997 2,992 2,911 81
1996 2,925 2,857 68
1995 2,761 2,703 58
1994 2,554 2,505 49
1993 2,549 2,489 60
1992 2,609 2,548 61
1991 2,744 2,690 54
1990 2,769 2,700 69
1989 2,272 2,210 62
1988 1,734 1,673 61
1987 1,549 1,492 57
1986 1,599 1,546 53
1985 1,577 1,529 48
1984 978 938 40
1983 970 932 38
1982 1,042 991 51
1981 906 869 37
1980 783 753 30
1979 679 664 15
1978 662 643 19
1977 765 745 20
1976 753 735 18
1975 758 744 14
1974 667 650 17
1973 735 716 19
1972 639 624 15
1971 653 645 8
1970 646 634 12
1969 544 525 19
1968 488 472 16
1967 465 452 13
1966 462 452 10
1965 470 461 9
1964 519 507 12
1963 483 471 12
1962 489 478 11
1961 541 525 16
1960 500 492 8
1959 470 462 8
1958 470 460 10
1957 463 454 9
1956 455 449 6
1955 479 470 9
1954 503 494 9
1953 528 520 8
1952 529 521 8
1951 500 492 8
1950 517 505 12
1949 545 535 10
1948 540 533 7
1947 563 552 11
1946 530 523 7
1945 477 462 15
1944 469 457 12
1943 565 554 11
1942 536 530 6
1941 512 501 11
1940 517 510 7
1939 466 458 8
1938 432 425 7
1937 460 449 11
1936 461 449 12
1935 504 497 7
1934 480 474 6
1933 461 455 6
1932 571 559 12
1931 510 502 8
1930 609 592 17
1929 611 592 19
1928 652 633 19
1927 643 621 22
1926 727 703 24
1925 739 716 23
1924 739 728 11
1923 688 673 15
1922 786 773 13
1921 780 765 15
1920 713 693 20
1919 706 686 20
1918 737 724 13
1917 665 652 13
1916 644 625 19
1915 592 579 13
1914 462 449 13
1913 366 360 6
1912 301 294 7
1911 159 152 7
1910 134 129 5
1909 113 102 11
1908 95 88 7
1907 100 92 8
1906 108 102 6
1905 78 78 0
1904 71 65 6
1903 59 59 0
1902 62 62 0
1901 66 66 0
1900 86 79 7
1899 51 45 6
1898 76 69 7
1897 53 53 0
1896 62 57 5
1895 55 55 0
1894 53 53 0
1893 68 68 0
1892 52 52 0
1891 48 43 5
1890 71 63 8
1889 49 49 0
1888 47 47 0
1887 40 40 0
1886 50 50 0
1885 49 49 0
1884 48 48 0
1883 48 48 0
1882 41 41 0
1881 36 36 0
1880 32 32 0

Top States for Julian (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 1,638
22%
TX 1,087
15%
FL 391
5%
NY 371
5%
IL 308
4%
AZ 254
3%
NC 210
3%
NJ 201
3%
PA 194
3%
GA 192
3%
MA 180
2%
WA 166
2%
VA 151
2%
CO 146
2%
MI 136
2%
OH 134
2%
MD 121
2%
IN 116
2%
NV 96
1%
OR 86
1%
WI 80
1%
CT 79
1%
TN 78
1%
MO 76
1%
MN 74
1%
SC 62
1%
KS 60
1%
UT 56
1%
LA 53
1%
OK 53
1%
IA 49
1%
KY 45
1%
NM 40
1%
AR 40
1%
DC 39
1%
AL 39
1%
ID 38
1%
NE 35
0%
NH 34
0%
RI 30
0%
WV 17
0%
DE 17
0%
MS 16
0%
ME 15
0%
MT 12
0%
ND 12
0%
SD 10
0%
AK 10
0%
HI 10
0%
VT 6
0%
WY 5
0%