"mythical auspicious creature"
Origin: Chinese
Language: English
Kylin
Does Kylin flow with your last name?
Named for the most auspicious creature in Chinese myth
Chinese
East Asian
English
Unique
Spiritual
Elegant
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"unicorn of the East, divine omen"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Chinese
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The Story of Kylin
Kylin (also spelled Qilin or Kirin) is the name of a mythological creature from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean traditions — a chimeric being with dragon scales, deer antlers, and ox hooves that appears only in times of good governance or to herald the birth or death of a great sage. The character Qi (麒) refers to the male and Lin (麟) to the female, making Kylin traditionally feminine. Its appearance was considered one of the most auspicious omens possible.
Kylin gained traction as a given name in Chinese-American communities and among parents drawn to East Asian mythology. The phonetics work smoothly in English, making it increasingly popular for cross-cultural families.
The Qilin is one of the four divine creatures of Chinese mythology alongside the dragon, phoenix, and tortoise. Its image is used in Chinese art, architecture, and decorative objects to symbolize luck, prosperity, and wise leadership.
Historical Record
Kylin first appeared in US Social Security records in 1987.
Over 1,324 babies have been named Kylin in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kylin is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,922 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Qilin is so revered it was said to appear at the birth of Confucius
- Kirin Beer in Japan uses the mythical Kirin creature as its logo
Kylin in Other Languages
Korean
기린
Chinese
麒麟
English
Kylin
Japanese
キリン
Popularity Over Time
#3,922
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kylin
K
Kirin Rider Fictional
Other
The Qilin (Kirin) is a revered mythological creature in East Asian culture, not a person but a divine symbol
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Compare Kylin with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,922
- Total SSA Count
- 38
- Cultural Origins
- Chinese East Asian English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ky
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kylin
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Kylin is also used as a boy name, ranked #1509.
View Kylin as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kylin
What does the name Kylin mean?
"mythical auspicious creature" (from Chinese). "unicorn of the East, divine omen" (from Chinese). Kylin (also spelled Qilin or Kirin) is the name of a mythological creature from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean traditions — a chimeric being with dragon scales, deer antlers, and ox hooves that appears only in times of good governance or to herald the birth or death of a great sage. The character Qi (麒) refers to the male and Lin (麟) to the female, making Kylin traditionally feminine. Its appearance was considered one of the most auspicious omens possible.
What is the origin of the name Kylin?
Kylin has Chinese, East Asian, and English origins. In Chinese, it means "mythical auspicious creature". In Chinese, it means "unicorn of the East, divine omen".
Is Kylin a boy or girl name?
Kylin is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3922. As a boy name, it is ranked #1509. Kylin is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Kylin?
Kylin is currently ranked #3922 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Kylin?
Popular middle name pairings include Kylin Rose, Kylin Grace, Kylin Mae, Kylin Lynn, and Kylin Joy.
What are good sibling names for Kylin?
Names that pair well with Kylin as siblings include Phoenix, Jade, Lotus, River, and Kai.
How many syllables does Kylin have?
Kylin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kylin a common or rare name?
Kylin is an uncommon name, ranked #3922 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Kylin?
Are there other spellings for Kylin?
Related spellings include Kylie.
About the Name Kylin
Kylin is a girl name with Chinese, East Asian, and English origins . The name means "mythical auspicious creature" in Chinese .
Is Kylin a boy or girl name? Kylin is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,922 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,509. Kylin is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kylin is currently ranked #3,922 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kylin has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kylin include Ky. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kylin include Kylie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis