Killian
Gender: Boy
Meaning: War strife, fierce
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Popularity: Ranked #418 in 2025 with 770 babies born.
History: Killian is an anglicization of the Irish 'Cillian,' possibly from 'ceallach,' meaning strife or war, or from 'cill,' meaning church. Saint Kilian was a 7th-century Irish missionary who evangelized Franconia in Germany and became its patron saint. The name is popular in Ireland and has grown significantly in the United States and France.
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Killian? About 1 in 4,240 babies born in 2025 were named Killian, or roughly 2.2 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Killian
What does the name Killian mean?
Killian means “War strife, fierce” from Irish Gaelic roots.
What is the origin of the name Killian?
Killian has Irish Gaelic origin. The traditional meaning is “War strife, fierce”.
How popular is Killian?
Killian ranked #417 in 2025 — given to 770 babies that year.
When was Killian most popular?
Killian peaked in 2017 with 1,505 babies registered that year.
Is Killian a boy or girl name?
Killian is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Killians in registered births are male.
Is the name Killian rising or falling in popularity?
Killian has risen 7741 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #8158 in 2020 to #417 in 2025.
How long has Killian been recorded?
Killian appears in birth records across 46 years — from 1915 through 2025.