How to say it
CIL · li · an
ˈkɪl.i.ən
Masculine
Cillian
Little church; strife
What it means
An Irish name often read as 'little church' or tied to a root for 'strife.'
Cillian is an Irish name usually traced to cill, 'church' or 'monk's cell,' so 'little church,' though some link it to a word for 'strife.' Saint Cillian was a 7th-century Irish missionary. The C-spelling is the Irish original of Killian, made famous by actor Cillian Murphy. Said KIL-ee-un.
How to spell Cillian
The standard spelling is Cillian. Common variants include Killian, Cillín, Kilian, but Cillian is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #463 in 2024, currently #507 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
The Irish spelling of Killian.
- Pop culture
Actor Cillian Murphy.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Cillian Murphy Irish actor known for Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders
Spelling variants
- Killian
- Cillín
- Kilian
Names with the same feeling
See Cillian from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Cillian mean?
- An Irish name often read as 'little church' or tied to a root for 'strife.'
- What does Cillian mean in Irish?
- In Irish, Cillian means "Little church; strife." Cillian is an Irish name usually traced to cill, 'church' or 'monk's cell,' so 'little church,' though some link it to a word for 'strife.' Saint Cillian was a 7th-century Irish missionary. The C-spelling is the Irish original of Killian, made famous by actor Cillian Murphy. Said KIL-ee-un.
- How do you pronounce Cillian?
- Cillian is pronounced ˈkɪl.i.ən. Say it as CIL-li-an, with the stress on the "cil" syllable.
- How do you spell Cillian?
- The standard spelling is Cillian. Common spelling variants include Killian, Cillín, Kilian.
- Is Cillian a boy or girl name?
- Cillian is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Cillian?
- Cillian ranked #507 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.