Kilian is a masculine given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the ancient Irish surname "Cillíne" or "Killane", which means "devoted to St. Kieran". St. Kieran was an Irish bishop and patron saint of gardening, who lived in the 6th century.
The name Kilian gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to the influence of the legendary French saint Kilian of Würzburg, who was martyred in Germany in the 7th century. He is considered the patron saint of wine growers and merchants.
In the United States, the name Kilian has seen a steady increase in usage since the late 20th century. It is now ranked among the top 1,000 most popular boys' names in the country.
Overall, Kilian is a strong and unique name with a rich history dating back to ancient Ireland. Its association with St. Kieran and St. Kilian makes it a suitable choice for parents seeking a name with religious significance.
Statistics on the given name Kilian show a consistent presence in the United States over two decades. From 1997 to 2019, there were a total of 27 babies born with this name.
Interestingly, there was no significant increase or decrease in popularity during these years. Between 1997 and 2004, five boys were named Kilian each year. This number held steady until 2010 when it remained the same at five births that year as well.
However, from 2011 onwards, there was a slight uptick in popularity for this name with six babies named Kilian born both in 2011 and again in 2019. This modest increase indicates that while Kilian may not be one of the most common names given to boys born in the United States during these years, it has remained relatively steady and even experienced some growth over time.
In conclusion, statistics demonstrate that Kilian is a name with consistent usage among parents choosing names for their newborn sons throughout this period. Despite fluctuations between five and six births per year, the overall total of 27 babies named Kilian in twenty-two years suggests it remains an appealing choice for many families across America during these decades.