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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Little church (disputed, possibly instead 'bright-headed' or war-related)
- Origin
- Irish (anglicization of Cillian)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- KIL-ee-an
Killian is an Irish name, an anglicized form of Cillian, most often pronounced KIL-ee-an. Its meaning isn't settled — many sources point to "little church," though others trace it instead to "bright-headed" or to a word tied to war. If you're drawn to Irish names with some historical texture, it's worth digging into that disputed background before you decide how you feel about it.
Meaning & Origin of Killian
Meaning: Little church (disputed, possibly instead 'bright-headed' or war-related).
Origin: Irish (anglicization of Cillian).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Killian
KIL-ee-anIPA /ˈkɪliən/
Popularity of Killian
Killian hit its high point in 2017, ranking #248 with 1,505 boys given the name that year. By 2024 it had cooled to #369, with 884 boys named Killian.
Names Like Killian
These names share Killian’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Killian mean?
Little church (disputed, possibly instead ‘bright-headed’ or war-related). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Killian?
Killian is pronounced KIL-ee-an (IPA: /ˈkɪliən/).
Is Killian a popular name right now?
Killian peaked at #248 in 2017 and is ranked #369 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1915–2024.)
Make Killian Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Killian, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Killian? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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