Cillian
Cillian is a boys' name of Irish origin meaning “associated with churches, bright-headed.” It ranked #507 in the United States in 2025. An ancient Irish name that has surged in global popularity thanks to actor Cillian Murphy.
how do you pronounce Cillian?
KIL-ee-un
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Cillian mean?
The name Cillian means “associated with churches, bright-headed.” It comes from the Irish language tradition.
An ancient Irish name that has surged in global popularity thanks to actor Cillian Murphy. The name may derive from 'ceall' (church) or 'ceallach' (bright-headed). Several early Irish saints bore this name. It perfectly balances Celtic heritage with modern international appeal.
where does the name Cillian come from?
Wiktionary describes Cillian as an Irish saint's name, possibly derived from a word for strife (ultimately from a root meaning to beat or strike), or alternatively from a word for monastery or church — it does not settle between the two. This doesn't quite match the bright-headed gloss given elsewhere; strife and church are the two possibilities the source actually offers.
the history of Cillian
Wikipedia confirms Cillian was borne by several early Irish saints, including missionaries to Artois in France and Franconia in Germany, and the author of a life of St Brigid; Killian and Kilian are noted as Anglicized versions of the name.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #507 |
| 2024 | #463 |
| 2023 | #594 |
| 2022 | #736 |
| 2021 | #747 |
| 2020 | #957 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
what are the nicknames and variants of Cillian?
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Cillian?
- Cillian Murphy (Oscar-winning Irish actor)
- Saint Cillian (7th-century Irish missionary to Franconia)
what names are similar to Cillian?
what names go well with Cillian?
Sibling names that share Cillian's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
love Cillian? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
start free consultation