Killian vs Liam

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Killian

Boy #370 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"associated with the church"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish French American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#370
Total SSA Count
884
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Killy, Kill, Ian

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Killian →

Liam

Boy #1 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong-willed warrior"

Origin: Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1
Total SSA Count
22,164
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Liam →

Popularity Comparison

Killian Rank #370
Liam Rank #1

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 vs #370 for Killian.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Killian ___

  • Killian James
  • Killian Patrick
  • Killian Thomas
  • Killian Finn
  • Killian Rory
  • Killian Sean

Liam ___

  • Liam James
  • Liam Alexander
  • Liam Thomas
  • Liam Michael
  • Liam Patrick
  • Liam Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Killian

Cormac Riordan Aoife Declan Niamh

If you choose Liam

Olivia Emma Noah Charlotte Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Killian or Liam more popular?

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 compared to Killian at #370 in the United States.

What do Killian and Liam mean?

Killian means "associated with the church" (Irish Gaelic origin). Liam means "strong-willed warrior" (Irish origin).

Are Killian and Liam boy or girl names?

Killian is primarily a boy name. Liam is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Killian ← Full profile: Liam Browse all baby names