Cillian

Boy Name #464 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

The Irish saint's name made global by Peaky Blinders

Irish Celtic

Unique Strong Literary Bold Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"strife, war"

Origin: Old Irish

Language: Irish

The Story of Cillian

Cillian is an ancient Irish Gaelic name derived from 'ceall,' meaning church, with the diminutive suffix '-an,' giving the sense of little church or associated with a church. An alternate theory derives it from the Old Irish 'ceallach,' meaning strife or war. The name was borne by Saint Killian, a 7th-century Irish missionary who became the apostle of Franconia and was martyred in Würzburg, Germany in 689 AD.

Cillian exploded globally after Cillian Murphy's Academy Award win for Best Actor in Oppenheimer (2024). The name had already been rising thanks to his iconic role as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders (2013-2022), transforming a traditionally Irish name into a globally recognized choice.

Saint Killian is venerated as a patron saint in Germany's Franconia region, where the Kiliani Volksfest — one of Germany's largest folk festivals — is held annually in Würzburg in his honor. In Ireland, Cillian remains a cornerstone of the Gaelic naming tradition.

Fun Facts

Cillian Murphy won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2024 for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer
The Kiliani Volksfest in Würzburg, Germany celebrates Saint Killian each July and is one of the largest folk festivals in Bavaria

Cillian in Other Languages

Irish Cillian

French Kilian

German Kilian

Spanish Kilián

Famous People Named Cillian

Cillian Murphy

Actor

1976

Irish actor, Academy Award winner for Oppenheimer (2024) and star of Peaky Blinders as Tommy Shelby

Saint Killian

Religious

640

Irish missionary and martyr who evangelized Franconia in Germany, patron saint of Würzburg, martyred 689 AD

Tommy Shelby Fictional

Other

Fictional protagonist of BBC's Peaky Blinders — the ruthless, charismatic leader of the Shelby crime family in post-WWI ...

Fictional protagonist of BBC's Peaky Blinders — the ruthless, charismatic leader of the Shelby crime family in post-WWI Birmingham, played by Cillian Murphy

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #464
Total SSA Count: 668
Cultural Origins: Irish Celtic
Pronunciation: Hard
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Common Nicknames

Cill Killy

Pairs Well With

Cillian James Cillian Patrick Cillian Michael Cillian Finn Cillian Declan Cillian Joseph Cillian Thomas

Sibling Names

Declan Finn Conor Siobhan Saoirse Niamh Riordan

Also a Girl Name

Cillian is also used as a girl name, ranked #24574.

View Cillian as a girl name →

Similar Names

Kelly Donovan Keller Killian Kellen Kellan Kilian Dillan

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cillian

What does the name Cillian mean?

"strife, war" (from Old Irish). Cillian is an ancient Irish Gaelic name derived from 'ceall,' meaning church, with the diminutive suffix '-an,' giving the sense of little church or associated with a church. An alternate theory derives it from the Old Irish 'ceallach,' meaning strife or war. The name was borne by Saint Killian, a 7th-century Irish missionary who became the apostle of Franconia and was martyred in Würzburg, Germany in 689 AD.

What is the origin of the name Cillian?

Cillian has Old Irish, Irish, and Celtic origins. In Old Irish, it means "strife, war".

Is Cillian a boy or girl name?

Cillian is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #464. As a girl name, it is ranked #24574. Cillian is more commonly used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Cillian?

Cillian is currently ranked #464 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Cillian?

Common nicknames for Cillian include Cill and Killy.

What are good middle names for Cillian?

Popular middle name pairings include Cillian James, Cillian Patrick, Cillian Michael, Cillian Finn, Cillian Declan, Cillian Joseph, and Cillian Thomas.

What are good sibling names for Cillian?

Names that pair well with Cillian as siblings include Declan, Finn, Conor, Siobhan, Saoirse, Niamh, and Riordan.

How many syllables does Cillian have?

Cillian has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Cillian a common or rare name?

Cillian is a popular name, ranked #464 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Cillian

Cillian is a boy name with Irish and Celtic origins . The name means "strife, war" in Old Irish .

Is Cillian a boy or girl name? Cillian is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #464 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #24,574. Cillian is more commonly used as a boy name.

Cillian is currently ranked #464 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Cillian has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Cillian include Cill and Killy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.