Killian is a name of Irish origin and it means "strife" or "discord". It is believed to have been derived from the ancient Irish word "cuilinn", which referred to a dispute or fight.
The name Killian has a long history in Ireland, with its earliest known occurrence being in the 12th century. It was borne by several saints and scholars during the Middle Ages, including Saint Kilian of Würzburg, who was an Irish missionary who traveled to Germany in the 7th century.
Despite its meaning, the name Killian has been associated with positivity and success throughout history. In fact, it is said that Saint Kilian's efforts in converting pagans to Christianity ultimately brought about peace and unity among the people he encountered.
Today, Killian continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their baby boy. It has been used by several famous individuals throughout history, including Killian Murphy, an Irish actor known for his role in the TV series "Peaky Blinders".
Overall, the name Killian is a strong and distinctive choice that carries with it a rich historical legacy of courage, determination, and ultimately, triumph over adversity.
The name Killian has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States. In 1986, it was given to only 7 newborns, but it began to gain traction in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with peaks of 22 births in 1992 and 33 births in 1997.
However, its popularity started to decline after the year 2000. It fluctuated between a low of 11 births in 2003 to a high of 25 births in 2015. Recently, it has remained relatively stable with around 20 births per year from 2017 to 2022.
Overall, since 1986 until 2023, the name Killian has been given to a total of 588 newborns in the United States. Despite its ups and downs in popularity over the years, it remains a distinctive and unique choice for parents.