"strife, war"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Cillian
Does Cillian flow with your last name?
The Irish saint's name made global by Peaky Blinders
Irish
Celtic
Unique
Strong
Literary
Bold
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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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.
Historical Record
Cillian first appeared in US Social Security records in 1995.
Over 3,486 babies have been named Cillian in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cillian is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #464 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#464
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cillian
C
Cillian Murphy
Actor
1976
Irish actor, Academy Award winner for Oppenheimer (2024) and star of Peaky Blinders as Tommy Shelby
S
Saint Killian
Religious
640
Irish missionary and martyr who evangelized Franconia in Germany, patron saint of Würzburg, martyred 689 AD
T
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
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Compare Cillian with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, unique style, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cillian
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Cillian is also used as a girl name, ranked #24574.
View Cillian as a girl name →Similar Names
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Scottish Gaelic origin
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Medieval Latin origin
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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.
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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