Kilian
How to say it: KIL-ee-uhn · /ˈkɪliən/
From Irish Cillian, possibly meaning 'church' or 'strife' - name of 7th-century missionary saint.
Kilian was the 265th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 177 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 25% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #244 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #265 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 177 |
| Share of births | 1 in 2,321 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +25% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #244 |
| In France, 2025 | #258 among boys’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Kilian belongs to the last forty years, with almost no earlier use. The 2020s mark its high point, and momentum points upward from here.
What goes with it
Soft yet crisp to the ear, with three lilting beats and a strong undercurrent. Tristan makes a natural companion, and Kil works as a short form.
Nicknames
- Kil
- Kili
- Ian
Honouring a Kilian in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Kilian is about 1 in 97.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Czech, Danish, English, French, German, Irish, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish.
In France: #258 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Kilian
- Kilian Le Blouch (born 1989)French judoka
- Saint Kilian (640–689)German-Irish saint
- Kilian Frankiny (born 1994)Swiss cyclist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- KILIAN PARIS luxury perfume house founded by Kilian Hennessy; reads as a brand name in fashion-aware circles
Keep exploring
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