Killian

Pronunciation: [ k-IHLY-uhn ]

Boy Name #370 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

An Irish saint's name with Captain Hook swagger

Irish French American English

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Meaning & Origin

"associated with the church"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: English

"little warrior, war-associated"

Origin: Irish

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

The 'kill' prefix may give some parents pause despite having no violent etymology

The Story of Killian

Killian is an Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic name Cillian (also spelled Kilian), derived from 'ceall' meaning 'church' or possibly 'strife, associated with war.' Saint Killian (Kilian) was a 7th-century Irish missionary bishop who traveled to Franconia (modern Germany) to spread Christianity and was martyred in Würzburg around 689 AD. He became a beloved saint in both Ireland and Germany.

Killian has risen sharply in the US in the 2010s–2020s, partly inspired by the character Killian Jones (Captain Hook) in the TV series Once Upon a Time (2012–2018). Irish actor Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders, Oppenheimer) has further raised the profile of this Celtic-sounding name.

Saint Kilian is the patron saint of Würzburg, Germany, where his feast day (July 8) is celebrated with the Kiliani Volksfest. In Ireland, the name honors a 7th-century missionary who helped Christianize central Europe. The name has strong roots in both Irish and German Catholic traditions.

Fun Facts

Saint Kilian is the patron saint of Würzburg, Germany — his martyrdom in 689 AD is commemorated with an annual folk festival
Cillian Murphy, who plays Killian-adjacent character Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Actor for Oppenheimer
The Kiliani Volksfest in Würzburg is one of Bavaria's largest annual festivals, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors

Killian in Other Languages

Irish Cillian

French Killian

German Kilian

Italian Chiliano

Spanish Killian

Famous People Named Killian

Cillian Murphy

Actor

1976

Irish actor known for Peaky Blinders and his Academy Award-winning role in Oppenheimer (2023)

Saint Killian (Kilian)

Religious

640

7th-century Irish missionary bishop who evangelized Franconia (Germany) and was martyred in Würzburg

Killian Jones (Captain Hook) Fictional

Other

The reformed pirate and love interest played by Colin O'Donoghue in Once Upon a Time (2012–2018)

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #370
Total SSA Count: 884
Cultural Origins: Irish French American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Killy Kill Ian

Pairs Well With

Killian James Killian Patrick Killian Thomas Killian Finn Killian Rory Killian Sean Killian Liam

Sibling Names

Cormac Riordan Aoife Declan Niamh Brennan Saoirse

Also a Girl Name

Killian is also used as a girl name, ranked #9219.

View Killian as a girl name →

Similar Names

Willis Willard Wilson Guillermo Donovan Willem Liam Kellan

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Killian

What does the name Killian mean?

"associated with the church" (from Irish Gaelic). "little warrior, war-associated" (from Irish). Killian is an Anglicization of the Irish Gaelic name Cillian (also spelled Kilian), derived from 'ceall' meaning 'church' or possibly 'strife, associated with war.' Saint Killian (Kilian) was a 7th-century Irish missionary bishop who traveled to Franconia (modern Germany) to spread Christianity and was martyred in Würzburg around 689 AD. He became a beloved saint in both Ireland and Germany.

What is the origin of the name Killian?

Killian has Irish Gaelic, Irish, French, American, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "associated with the church". In Irish, it means "little warrior, war-associated".

Is Killian a boy or girl name?

Killian is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #370. As a girl name, it is ranked #9219. Killian is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Killian?

Killian is pronounced k-IHLY-uhn.

How popular is the name Killian?

Killian is currently ranked #370 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Killian?

Common nicknames for Killian include Killy, Kill, and Ian.

What are good middle names for Killian?

Popular middle name pairings include Killian James, Killian Patrick, Killian Thomas, Killian Finn, Killian Rory, Killian Sean, and Killian Liam.

What are good sibling names for Killian?

Names that pair well with Killian as siblings include Cormac, Riordan, Aoife, Declan, Niamh, Brennan, and Saoirse.

How many syllables does Killian have?

Killian has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Killian a common or rare name?

Killian is a popular name, ranked #370 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Killian

Killian is a boy name with Irish, French, American, and English origins . The name means "associated with the church" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Killian a boy or girl name? Killian is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #370 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #9,219. Killian is more commonly used as a boy name.

Killian is currently ranked #370 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Killian has 3 syllables and is pronounced k-IHLY-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Killian include Killy, Kill, and Ian. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.