Church or bright-headed
Kilian is an Anglicized version of the Irish name Cillian. It is most commonly associated with Saint Kilian, a 7th-century Irish missionary bishop who worked in Franconia. The name likely derives from the Gaelic word 'cill' meaning church, or 'ceallach' meaning strife or bright-headed.
Less common today
Kilian isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #1,032 in 2023.
Irish missionary bishop and martyr
World-class ultramarathon runner and ski mountaineer
Founder of the luxury perfume house Kilian
Olympic alpine ski racer
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
