Killian

At a Glance: Name: Killian – Meaning: little church (disputed, possibly instead 'bright-headed' or war-related) – Origin: Irish (anglicization of Cillian) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: KIL-ee-an

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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

Phonetic: KIL-ee-an   IPA: /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.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name 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.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Cillian
• Callan
• Carrick
• Cashel
• Aidan
• Ardal

FAQ

What does the name Killian mean?

Little church (disputed, possibly instead ‘bright-headed’ or war-related). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Killian)

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.)

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