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Julian

♂ Boy

Pronounced JOO-lee-un /ˈdʒuː.li.ən/High

Meaning: Youthful; belonging to Julius; descended from Jove (Jupiter)High

In 30 seconds: From the Latin Julian meaning 'youthful' and belonging to the illustrious Julius family of Rome, Julian has become one of the most popular boys' names of the 21st century.
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningYouthful; belonging to Julius; descended from Jove (Jupiter)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 203,284

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201718802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Julian derives from the Latin Iulianus, a Roman family name related to Julius. The Julian clan claimed divine descent from Julus (or Iulus), and the name element may relate to the Greek ioulos (downy-bearded, youthful). The Roman emperor Julian the Apostate (331–363 AD) is among its historical bearers.

Julian was used as a given name throughout the medieval period, borne by saints including Julian of Norwich (c. 1342–c. 1416), a celebrated mystic. In the United States it grew steadily from the 1990s and has climbed into the top 30 boys' names by the 2020s.

Did you know? The name Julian traces to the great Roman gens Julia (Julian family), which claimed descent from Julus, son of Aeneas and grandson of the goddess Venus. Julius Caesar, who gave his name to the Julian calendar, was the family's most famous member.

Variations

JuliánGiulianoJulienJulius

Nicknames

JulesJuli

Famous Bearers

  • ★Julian of Norwich (c. 1342–c. 1416)
    English mystic and theologian, author of Revelations of Divine Love.
  • ★Julian Lennon (1963–)
    British musician, son of John Lennon.

If you like Julian…

Sebastian— shares the distinguished multi-syllable classical heritage
Adrian— fellow Latin-origin classic with the same flowing quality
Leo— shares the Roman/Latin heritage and modern popularity
Felix— equally bright and classic Latin name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Julian mean?

Julian comes from the Latin Iulianus, meaning 'belonging to Julius' or 'youthful,' connected to the famous Roman Julian family that claimed descent from the goddess Venus.

How do you pronounce Julian?

Julian is pronounced JOO-lee-un /ˈdʒuː.li.ən/ (three syllables).

Is Julian a boy or girl name?

Julian is primarily a boy's name; the feminine equivalents include Juliana and Julienne.

How popular is Julian?

Julian has entered the U.S. top 30 boys' names by the early 2020s after climbing steadily since the 1990s.