"auspicious mythical creature"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Chinese
Kylin
Does Kylin flow with your last name?
Named for China's mythical unicorn of good fortune
Chinese
Vietnamese
Korean
American
Unique
Spiritual
Modern
Earthy
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"Chinese unicorn, bringer of good fortune"
Origin: Chinese
Language: English
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The Story of Kylin
Kylin (also spelled Qilin or Kirin) is the Romanized form of the Chinese mythical creature 奇麟, composed of 'qi' (male) and 'lin' (female), representing the combined male-female aspects of an auspicious supernatural being. The qilin is a chimeric creature in Chinese mythology — combining features of a dragon, deer, ox, and fish — that appears only in times of great peace and prosperity or to herald the arrival of a great ruler or sage. In Western contexts it's often called the 'Chinese unicorn.'
Kylin has gained use among Chinese American families and multicultural families seeking names that bridge Chinese heritage with English phonetics. The name appeals because it carries deep cultural meaning in Chinese tradition while being pronounceable for English speakers. The soccer star Kylian Mbappé has also brought the similar-sounding name to wider attention.
In Chinese culture, the qilin is one of the four sacred animals (along with the dragon, phoenix, and tortoise). Its appearance was believed to signal the birth of a great sage or the reign of a benevolent ruler — Confucius himself was said to have been heralded by a qilin. Naming a child Kylin expresses hopes for the child's extraordinary destiny.
Historical Record
Kylin first appeared in US Social Security records in 1987.
Over 1,997 babies have been named Kylin in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kylin is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,509 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The qilin is said to walk so gently that not a single blade of grass is bent beneath its feet
- The Japanese beer brand Kirin is named after this mythical creature
Kylin in Other Languages
Korean
Girin
Chinese
麒麟
English
Kylin/Qilin
Japanese
Kirin
Vietnamese
Kỳ lân
Popularity Over Time
#1,509
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kylin
K
Kylian Mbappé
Athlete
1998
French soccer superstar and one of the world's best players, known for his explosive speed and goal-scoring ability (sim...
French soccer superstar and one of the world's best players, known for his explosive speed and goal-scoring ability (similar name, French origin)
K
Kylin Milan
Other
Daughter of NFL player Victor Cruz, bringing the name to contemporary American celebrity culture
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Compare Kylin with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,509
- Total SSA Count
- 118
- Cultural Origins
- Chinese Vietnamese Korean American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ky
Kye
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kylin
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Kylin is also used as a girl name, ranked #3922.
View Kylin as a girl name →Similar Names
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Germanic origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kylin
What does the name Kylin mean?
"auspicious mythical creature" (from Chinese). "Chinese unicorn, bringer of good fortune" (from Chinese). Kylin (also spelled Qilin or Kirin) is the Romanized form of the Chinese mythical creature 奇麟, composed of 'qi' (male) and 'lin' (female), representing the combined male-female aspects of an auspicious supernatural being. The qilin is a chimeric creature in Chinese mythology — combining features of a dragon, deer, ox, and fish — that appears only in times of great peace and prosperity or to herald the arrival of a great ruler or sage. In Western contexts it's often called the 'Chinese unicorn.'
What is the origin of the name Kylin?
Kylin has Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and American origins. In Chinese, it means "auspicious mythical creature". In Chinese, it means "Chinese unicorn, bringer of good fortune".
Is Kylin a boy or girl name?
Kylin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1509. As a girl name, it is ranked #3922. Kylin is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Kylin?
Kylin is currently ranked #1509 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kylin?
Common nicknames for Kylin include Kye.
What are good middle names for Kylin?
Popular middle name pairings include Kylin James, Kylin Wei, Kylin Jin, Kylin Lee, Kylin Alexander, Kylin Thomas, and Kylin Sean.
What are good sibling names for Kylin?
Names that pair well with Kylin as siblings include Kylian, Linlin, Mei, Jing, Long, Phoenix, and Zhen.
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 #1509 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Kylin?
About the Name Kylin
Kylin is a boy name with Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and American origins . The name means "auspicious mythical creature" in Chinese .
Is Kylin a boy or girl name? Kylin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,509 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,922. Kylin is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kylin is currently ranked #1,509 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kylin has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kylin include Ky and Kye. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kylin include Kylian, Kyliam . 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