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Home › Baby Names Directory › Cilian

Cilian

♂ Boy

Pronounced KIL-ee-uhn /ˈkɪl.i.ən/Medium

Meaning: A spelling of the Irish Cillian, likely from 'cill' ('church') or 'ceallach' ('strife; war'), often glossed 'little church' or 'little warrior'. Borne by an early Irish saint.Low

In 30 seconds: A warm Irish name: Cilian is a spelling of Cillian — 'little church' or 'strife' (said 'KIL-ee-uhn').
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningA spelling of the Irish Cillian, likely from 'cill' ('church') or 'ceallach' ('strife; war'), often glossed 'little church' or 'little warrior'. Borne by an early Irish saint.
U.S. rank (2024)#12640
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 5

History & Origin

Cilian is a spelling of the Irish Cillian, from 'cill' ('church') or 'ceallach' ('strife; war'), variously read as 'little church' or 'little warrior'. It honors Saint Cillian, an Irish missionary, and rides the recent popularity of actor Cillian Murphy (said 'KIL-ee-uhn').

In the U.S. it appears rarely in this spelling. Warm, Celtic, and heritage-rich.

Did you know? Cilian is a spelling of the Irish Cillian, tied to 'cill' ('church') and often read as 'little warrior' — a name of an early Irish saint (said 'KIL-ee-uhn').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Cilian — Spelling of Irish Cillian, 'little church' / 'strife'

Variations

CillianKillianKilian

Nicknames

CilKill

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cilian…

Killian— the common spelling of Cilian
Cieran— a like soft Irish saint's name
Declan— a like Celtic boy's pick
Finnian— a like Irish '-ian' saint name

Explore names like Cilian

By themeheritageirishvariant-spellingceltic
By meaningWarrior

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cilian mean?

Cilian is a spelling of the Irish Cillian, from 'cill' ('church') or 'ceallach' ('strife'), read as 'little church' or 'little warrior'.

How do you pronounce Cilian?

It's said KIL-ee-uhn /ˈkɪl.i.ən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cilian a boy or girl name?

Cilian is a boy's name.

How popular is Cilian?

Cilian is a rare spelling in the U.S., against the more common Killian.

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