Cillian Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Cillian is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Cillian?
Cillian is spelled C-I-L-L-I-A-N. The name has 7 letters.
Cillian at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Cillian may derive from the Old Irish word for “church” or may be a diminutive of “Ceallach,” which could mean “war” or “strife.”
- Origin
- Cillian is commonly associated with Irish origins and is considered a traditional Gaelic name.
- Pronunciation
- KIL-ee-uhn · 3 syllables
Cillian Popularity in 2025
Rank#507
Recorded Births595
- Boys usage fell 44 places to #507 and recorded 73 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Cillian Mean?
Cillian may derive from the Old Irish word for “church” or may be a diminutive of “Ceallach,” which could mean “war” or “strife.”
Origin: Cillian is commonly associated with Irish origins and is considered a traditional Gaelic name.
How Do You Pronounce Cillian?
PronunciationKIL-ee-uhn
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Cillian?
- History
- The name Cillian has historical usage in Ireland, including associations with early Irish saints.
Cillian Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2001 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 595 | #507 |
| 2024 | Girls | 6 | #13,477 |
| 2024 | Boys | 668 | #463 |
| 2023 | Boys | 477 | #594 |
| 2022 | Boys | 353 | #735 |
| 2021 | Boys | 341 | #747 |
| 2020 | Boys | 228 | #957 |
| 2019 | Boys | 186 | #1,078 |
| 2018 | Boys | 193 | #1,052 |
| 2017 | Boys | 170 | #1,126 |
| 2016 | Boys | 177 | #1,105 |
| 2015 | Boys | 121 | #1,416 |
| 2014 | Boys | 87 | #1,730 |
| 2013 | Boys | 77 | #1,851 |
| 2012 | Boys | 73 | #1,942 |
| 2011 | Boys | 66 | #2,035 |
| 2010 | Boys | 54 | #2,354 |
| 2009 | Boys | 52 | #2,451 |
| 2008 | Boys | 51 | #2,467 |
| 2007 | Boys | 39 | #2,974 |
| 2006 | Boys | 42 | #2,744 |
| 2005 | Boys | 10 | #7,096 |
| 2004 | Boys | 8 | #8,143 |
| 2001 | Boys | 6 | #9,243 |
When Was Cillian Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2024 · Boys
668 recorded births
National rank #463
2025 · Boys
595 recorded births
National rank #507
2023 · Boys
477 recorded births
National rank #594
2022 · Boys
353 recorded births
National rank #735
Where Cillian Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| AK | #165 | 5 |
| RI | #200 | 5 |
| DE | #203 | 5 |
| NH | #230 | 5 |
| NM | #270 | 7 |
| MA | #307 | 18 |
| VA | #329 | 25 |
| NJ | #344 | 24 |