Culann
Say it: KUL-an
BoyIrishMythology6 letters2 syllables
#372
in Ireland (2025)
#360 with spellings combined
10
babies in 2025
#248
best rank (2023)
196
babies since 1997
Up 62
10-year rank change
Culann through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #360 |
| 2024 | 15 | #269 |
| 2023 | 17 | #248 |
| 2022 | 8 | #413 |
| 2021 | 14 | #300 |
| 2020 | 13 | #315 |
| 2019 | 12 | #324 |
| 2018 | 11 | #342 |
| 2017 | 9 | #394 |
| 2016 | 15 | #298 |
| 2015 | 8 | #422 |
| 2014 | 7 | #468 |
| 2013 | 7 | #448 |
| 2012 | 10 | #379 |
| 2011 | 4 | #623 |
| 2010 | 5 | #542 |
| 2009 | 5 | #532 |
| 2008 | 7 | #444 |
| 2006 | 3 | #595 |
| 2004 | 6 | #352 |
| 2003 | 4 | #423 |
| 2002 | 3 | #451 |
| 1997 | 3 | #382 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Culann mean?
Uncertain
Irish, the name of Culann the smith in the Ulster Cycle.
Say it right
KULan
Not:KOO-lan
The story of Culann
Culann is a name from the Ulster Cycle of Irish legend. The meaning of the name itself is uncertain. Culann was a smith whose house was guarded by a huge and fierce hound, and his name lives on inside the name of the greatest hero of the cycle, Cú Chulainn.
In the story, the boy Sétanta arrived late at a feast in Culann’s house, and the hound attacked him. Sétanta killed it. Seeing Culann’s grief, he offered to act as his guard dog until a new pup was ready, and from then on he was called Cú Chulainn, “the hound of Culann”.
Culann first appears in the CSO records in 1997, but it stayed rare for years. Its best year was 2023, with 17 boys in 2023 and a place at number 254. Parents who like Setanta often look at Culann too.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Culann
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Culann | 10 | 196 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #274 (2019); 30 babies since 2010.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.