Kian
Say it: KEE-an
BoyIrishMeans ancient, enduring4 letters2 syllables
#170
in Ireland (2025)
#168 with spellings combined
29
babies in 2025
#63
best rank (2001)
1,569
babies since 1981
Down 32
10-year rank change
Kian through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 29 | #168 |
| 2024 | 29 | #171 |
| 2023 | 26 | #191 |
| 2022 | 24 | #211 |
| 2021 | 22 | #219 |
| 2020 | 21 | #224 |
| 2019 | 34 | #168 |
| 2018 | 26 | #214 |
| 2017 | 27 | #210 |
| 2016 | 43 | #147 |
| 2015 | 46 | #136 |
| 2014 | 72 | #103 |
| 2013 | 42 | #152 |
| 2012 | 63 | #112 |
| 2011 | 77 | #101 |
| 2010 | 60 | #126 |
| 2009 | 79 | #95 |
| 2008 | 88 | #89 |
| 2007 | 72 | #101 |
| 2006 | 77 | #85 |
| 2005 | 91 | #74 |
| 2004 | 102 | #67 |
| 2003 | 106 | #65 |
| 2002 | 86 | #73 |
| 2001 | 106 | #63 |
| 2000 | 50 | #99 |
| 1999 | 17 | #169 |
| 1998 | 6 | #242 |
| 1997 | 3 | #382 |
| 1996 | 3 | #369 |
| 1995 | 6 | #261 |
| 1994 | 5 | #263 |
| 1992 | 3 | #337 |
| 1991 | 3 | #324 |
| 1990 | 5 | #256 |
| 1989 | 4 | #278 |
| 1988 | 3 | #319 |
| 1987 | 4 | #272 |
| 1985 | 3 | #304 |
| 1984 | 3 | #318 |
| 1981 | 3 | #322 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Kian mean?
Ancient, enduring
An English spelling of Irish Cian, from Old Irish cían (long, distant, lasting).
Say it right
KEEan
The story of Kian
Kian is an English spelling of the Irish name Cian, which comes from the Old Irish cían, “long”, “distant” or “lasting”. So it is usually explained as “ancient” or “enduring”. In legend, Cian was the father of the hero Lugh. Quite separately, Kian is also a Persian name, linked to words for a king or kingdom.
Kian Egan of the Irish band Westlife is probably the best-known bearer in Ireland.
Kian first appears in the CSO records in 1981. It grew fast around the turn of the century, and its best year was 2001, when 106 boys were named Kian and it reached number 63. In 2025 there were 29. The CSO counts Kian and Cian separately, and Cian is now the more common spelling. In Northern Ireland, Kian reached number 78 in 2014.
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Sources
- Wiktionary: Kian (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Kian (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland, full name list 1997-2025
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Kian | 29 | 1,569 |
In Northern Ireland
#169 in 2025 with 13 babies. Best rank #78 (2014); 372 babies since 2000.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.