Killian Boy

Popularity: #387 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KIL-ee-an //ˈkɪl.i.ən//

Origin: Irish; Latin

Meaning: Irish: 'little church'; Latin: 'warrior'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Killian has its roots in the Irish name Cillian, which is derived from the Old Irish "Cill" meaning "church" or "cell" and the diminutive suffix "-an." This etymology suggests a meaning akin to "little church" or "follower of the church." The name Cillian was borne by a 7th-century Irish saint, Saint Cillian, who is recognized as a missionary in what is now Germany. His life and works contributed to the spread of Christianity in the region, and he is venerated in both Ireland and Germany, which helped to establish the name's significance in early medieval Christian contexts.

As the name evolved, it was Latinized to "Cillianus" and later adopted into various forms across Europe, including the anglicized Killian. The name appeared in historical texts and records from the early medieval period, particularly in Ireland, where it was associated with monastic communities.

The spread of Christianity and the establishment of churches in Ireland and beyond facilitated the dissemination of the name through ecclesiastical records and hagiographies, particularly during the 9th and 10th centuries. Culturally, the name Killian has been associated with themes of faith, dedication, and community service, reflecting its ecclesiastical origins.

The name has also been linked to various legends and folklore within Irish culture, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness. In addition to its historical significance, the name has variations in different languages, such as Kilian in German and Cillian in Irish, which highlight its adaptability and enduring legacy across different cultures and regions.

Famous people named Killian

In this section, you will find notable people named Killian. 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 Killian who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Killian 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.

Killian Murphy is an actor best known for Peaky Blinders, Inception, and 28 Days Later.

Killian Scott is an actor best known for Love/Hate, Strike Back, and Dublin Murders.

Fictional characters named Killian

The following list of fictional characters named Killian 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.

Killian Jones is a fictional character from the TV series Once Upon a Time. He is a charming and complex pirate known as Captain Hook who seeks redemption and love throughout the series.

Killian is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. He is a skilled mage and a member of the game's cast, known for his strategic importance in battles.

Sibling suggestions

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

KieranLiamDeclanNolanFinnAidanSeamus

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Killian. 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.

CillianKieranColinDorianJulianGideonAdrianSebastian

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Killian was first seen in the United States in 1915.

Killian has ranked as high as #455 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Killian 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 Killian 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 Killian.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 785 770 15
2024 897 885 12
2023 896 884 12
2022 923 903 20
2021 960 939 21
2020 912 899 13
2019 1,105 1,089 16
2018 1,250 1,229 21
2017 1,528 1,506 22
2016 1,401 1,382 19
2015 1,001 976 25
2014 561 545 16
2013 310 294 16
2012 281 270 11
2011 316 299 17
2010 309 293 16
2009 323 304 19
2008 290 274 16
2007 269 255 14
2006 188 176 12
2005 172 162 10
2004 166 151 15
2003 128 117 11
2002 130 117 13
2001 147 129 18
2000 158 139 19
1999 123 113 10
1998 158 137 21
1997 178 145 33
1996 161 145 16
1995 155 135 20
1994 106 94 12
1993 106 94 12
1992 93 71 22
1991 87 75 12
1990 91 81 10
1989 67 54 13
1988 30 22 8
1987 9 9 0
1986 20 13 7
1985 9 9 0
1984 7 7 0
1983 9 9 0
1982 9 9 0
1920 5 5 0
1915 5 5 0

Top States for Killian (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
FL 67
8%
TX 57
7%
NY 52
6%
CA 49
6%
PA 48
6%
MI 37
4%
NC 35
4%
OH 33
4%
WA 31
4%
VA 30
3%
TN 26
3%
IL 26
3%
MA 25
3%
CO 24
3%
NJ 23
3%
AZ 22
3%
GA 21
2%
IN 20
2%
MO 19
2%
KS 16
2%
OK 16
2%
KY 14
2%
WI 14
2%
IA 14
2%
SC 13
2%
MD 13
2%
MN 12
1%
CT 9
1%
NE 9
1%
AL 9
1%
OR 8
1%
UT 8
1%
LA 7
1%
NH 7
1%
MS 7
1%
ND 6
1%
NM 6
1%
ID 6
1%
AK 5
1%
SD 5
1%
NV 5
1%
AR 5
1%