Boy name · Irish Gaelic
Killian
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: little churchKillian is a boy's name that comes from Irish Gaelic and means "little church". It is used in English and Irish.
- Meaning
- Little church
- Origin
- Irish Gaelic
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #418 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Killian
As a boy's name, Killian comes from Irish Gaelic and means "little church". It is used in English and Irish.
In Irish, say KIL-ee-an. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Killian is also a surname: the 3,029th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 11,577 people. See the most common last names.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Killian on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Killian on 1 list.
“English spelling of Cillian, little church. Say KIL-ee-an.”
From Irish boy names, irish boys' names in English spelling
How popular is Killian?
- US rank in 2025
- #418
- 770 babies, 451 per million boys
- Best rank
- #248 in 2017
- 1,506 babies that year
- Babies since 1915
- At least 16,219
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 1 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 0 per million |
| 1950s | 0 per million |
| 1960s | 0 per million |
| 1970s | 0 per million |
| 1980s | 7 per million |
| 1990s | 56 per million |
| 2000s | 91 per million |
| 2010s | 419 per million |
| 2020s | 509 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #264 | #248 | #287 | #311 | #352 | #347 | #364 | #368 | #370 | #418 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Killian
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- CillianLittle church (Irish Gaelic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- ColmcilleDove of the church (Irish Gaelic, boy)
Middle names for Killian
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Irish Gaelic
- OscarPossibly deer friend (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- FergusMan of vigor (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- KevinGentle birth (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- RonanLittle seal (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- RoryRed king (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- AidanLittle fire (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- AidenLittle fire (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- AodhFire, flame (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- AydenVariant of Aidan, little fire (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- BarryFair-haired (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- BrendanA prince (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- CaseyVigilant, watchful (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- CassidyCurly-haired (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- CodyDescendant of the helpful one (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- ConanLittle hound or little wolf (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- ConnorLover of hounds (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- ConorLover of hounds (Irish Gaelic, boy)
- DeclanMeaning unknown, though likely begins with Old Irish dag, good (Irish Gaelic, boy)
Killian: common questions
What does the name Killian mean?
Killian comes from Irish Gaelic and means "little church".
Is Killian a boy or girl name?
Killian is mainly a boy's name. In 2025, 15 girls and 770 boys in the US were named Killian, according to Social Security Administration data.
Where does the name Killian come from?
Killian comes from Irish Gaelic and means "little church". Today it is used in English and Irish.
How popular is the name Killian?
Killian ranked #418 in the US in 2025, with 770 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Killian?
Forms of Killian with the same meaning and origin include Cillian (Irish).
What middle names go with Killian?
Middle names that flow well with Killian include Clark, David, Finn, Henry and Jonah. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.