Killian
2025 SSA
About Killian
Killian – aka Cillian – is a spirited yet resonant Gaelic name that was borne by several Irish saints and could make a distinctive replacement for the dated Kelly. Kylian is another spelling that's gaining traction, thanks to French soccer star Kylian Mbappé. Possible downsides: an unsavory first syllable and a connection to the trendy brew.
Pronounced KIL-yun.
As of October 2026, Killian ranked #418 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #248 in 2017, Nameberry popularity #399.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #511 | 545 | 283.7 |
| 2015 | #349 | 976 | 509.2 |
| 2016 | #264 | 1,382 | 728.2 |
| 2017 | #248 | 1,505 | 813.1 |
| 2018 | #287 | 1,229 | 676.7 |
| 2019 | #311 | 1,089 | 607 |
| 2020 | #352 | 899 | 520.8 |
| 2021 | #347 | 939 | 536.7 |
| 2022 | #364 | 902 | 516.6 |
| 2023 | #367 | 884 | 516.8 |
| 2024 | #369 | 884 | 513.1 |
| 2025 | #418 | 770 | 450.8 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Killian.
- Kian
- Kieran
- Keiran
- Corbin
- Agustus
- Cian
- Malachi
- Emery
- Rhys
- Arden
- Rohan
- Enzo
- Ronan
- Finlay
- Kellan
- Niko
- Cillian
- Avery
- Rían
- Ari
Killian on lists
Famous Killians
- Killian Brennan
Irish footballer
- Killian Miller
U.S. Congressman from New York
- Killian Killian Van Rensselaer
U.S. Congressman from New York
- Killian Overmeire
Belgian footballer
- Killian Tillie
French basketball player
- Killian Donnelly
Irish actor and singer
- Killian Scott
Irish actor
- Killian Marcus Gastineau (b. 1989)
son of NFL player Mark Gastineau and actress Brigette Nielsen
Killian in pop culture
- Killian Gardiner
character on TV's "Witches of East End"
- Killian Gottesheim of the River Farm
character in "Prince Otto" (1885) by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Killian Jones aka Captain Hook
character on TV's "Once Upon A Time"
- Killian MacEwan
character from the "Sweep" book series by Cate Tiernan