Julian
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Youthful; downy-bearded; of the Julian family
Origin: Latin Julianus — from the Roman gens Julia, the legendary clan of Julius Caesar
Popularity: Ranked #25 in 2025 with 7,603 babies born.
History: Julian descends from the great Julian clan of ancient Rome — the family that produced Julius Caesar and, through him, the title of Emperor. The name was borne by early Christian saints and the philosopher-emperor Julian the Apostate. In medieval Europe it was also used for women (Julian of Norwich, the mystic author). In modern America it has climbed steadily into the top 50, appreciated for its classic Roman pedigree, its soft but strong sound, and the timeless nickname Jules.
Famous people named Julian: Julian Lennon (musician), Julian Assange (journalist), Julian of Norwich (mystic)
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Julian? About 1 in 436 babies born in 2025 were named Julian, or roughly 20.9 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Julian
What does the name Julian mean?
Julian means “Youthful; downy-bearded; of the Julian family” from Latin Julianus — from the Roman gens Julia, the legendary clan of Julius Caesar roots.
What is the origin of the name Julian?
Julian has Latin Julianus — from the Roman gens Julia, the legendary clan of Julius Caesar origin. The traditional meaning is “Youthful; downy-bearded; of the Julian family”.
How popular is Julian?
Julian ranked #25 in 2025 — given to 7,603 babies that year.
When was Julian most popular?
Julian peaked in 2017 with 8,451 babies registered that year.
Is Julian a boy or girl name?
Julian is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Julians in registered births are male.
Is the name Julian rising or falling in popularity?
Julian has risen 4066 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #4091 in 2020 to #25 in 2025.
How long has Julian been recorded?
Julian appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.