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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kirin

Kirin

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEER-in /ˈkɪər.ɪn/Medium

Meaning: Kirin is a modern unisex name with several readings. In Japanese, kirin is the name of the qilin — a benevolent mythical hoofed creature of East Asian legend, said to appear at the birth of a sage — and also the modern word for 'giraffe'; it is likewise a major Japanese beer brand, which we note honestly. In English use, Kirin may also be a spelling of Kieran or a coinage. Routes uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: A name from legend: kirin is Japanese for the mythical qilin (said 'KEER-in'). Unisex, and also a famous beer brand — routes are uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowJapanese, English
MeaningKirin is a modern unisex name with several readings. In Japanese, kirin is the name of the qilin — a benevolent mythical hoofed creature of East Asian legend, said to appear at the birth of a sage — and also the modern word for 'giraffe'; it is likewise a major Japanese beer brand, which we note honestly. In English use, Kirin may also be a spelling of Kieran or a coinage. Routes uncertain.
U.S. rank (2024)#14373 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 413

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201119772024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kirin has more than one story. In Japanese, kirin is the qilin, a benevolent hoofed creature of East Asian myth associated with wisdom and good fortune; the word later came to mean 'giraffe' as well, and is best known internationally as a Japanese beer brand — an association worth knowing. In English-speaking countries Kirin also turns up as a spelling of Kieran or as a short modern coinage. It is used for girls and boys alike. The routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'KEER-in').

It appears only rarely for either sex in the U.S. Rare, unisex, and many-sided.

Did you know? In Japanese, kirin names the qilin — a gentle mythical creature said to appear when a sage is born. The same word means 'giraffe', and it is the name of a large Japanese brewery, which we note honestly (said 'KEER-in').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Kirin — Japanese kirin, the qilin and 'giraffe'; Kirin beer brand; Kieran spelling; unisex; routes uncertain

Variations

KiranKieranKyrin

Nicknames

KikiKirRin

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kirin…

Kiran— a like short unisex name in sound
Kieran— an Irish name Kirin can respell
Kyra— a like brisk K- pick for girls
Rin— the short Japanese name inside its ending

Explore names like Kirin

By themeuncertaincross-sexjapanesemythological

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kirin mean?

In Japanese, kirin is the mythical qilin (and the word for 'giraffe'); it is also a major beer brand. In English it may spell Kieran. Routes uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Kirin?

It's said KEER-in /ˈkɪər.ɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kirin a boy or girl name?

Kirin is unisex — used for both girls and boys, which we note.

How popular is Kirin?

Kirin is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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