Cillian
Cillian is a boys' name of Irish origin meaning “associated with churches, bright-headed.” It ranked #288 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.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #288 |
| 2023 | #324 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
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?
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
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