Cillian
Cillian is a boys' name of Irish origin meaning “church, or strife.” It ranked #507 in the United States in 2025. An ancient Irish saint's name that has surged in global popularity thanks to the actor Cillian Murphy.
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how do you pronounce Cillian?
KIL-ee-un
where does the name Cillian come from?
An Irish saint's name, possibly from a word for strife, from a root meaning to beat or strike, or from a word for monastery or church.
It may come from a word for a monastery or church, or from one meaning strife. Several early Irish saints bore it, including missionaries to Artois and Franconia.
how popular is this name?
Cillian has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 6 years since 2020. It peaked at #463 in 2024, and ranked #507 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #507 |
| 2024 | #463 |
| 2023 | #594 |
| 2022 | #735 |
| 2021 | #747 |
| 2020 | #957 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Cillian fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Cillian
Several early Irish saints bore the name, including missionaries to Artois in France and to Franconia in Germany, and the author of a life of St Brigid. Killian and Kilian are anglicized forms.
who are famous people named Cillian?
- Cillian Murphy (Oscar-winning Irish actor)
- Saint Cillian (7th-century Irish missionary to Franconia)
what are the nicknames and variants of Cillian?
Variants around the world
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.
quick answers about Cillian
What does the name Cillian mean?
Cillian means “church, or strife”.
What is the origin of the name Cillian?
Cillian comes from the Irish naming tradition. Related forms include Killian and Kilian.
How popular is the name Cillian?
Cillian ranked #507 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data.
Is Cillian a boy or girl name?
Cillian is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Cillian?
Cillian is pronounced KIL-ee-un, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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