Kian
Kian was the 401st most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 797 babies. That is its highest rank since records began in 1880. Over the last ten years it has moved up 88 places. More babies were named Kian in the 2010s than in any other decade.
Meaning Origin uncertain · Irish, Persian
Say it KEE-un /ˈkiən/
- Rank in 2025
- #401 boys, up 50 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 797boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 2025797 babies
- Total since 1880
- 13,568babies recorded
What does the name Kian mean?
Kian has two separate sources. Wiktionary gives it as an anglicized spelling of Irish Cian, the name of figures in Irish legend, often explained as "ancient" or "enduring". It is also a Persian name associated with the legendary Kayanian kings. The sources consulted do not confirm a meaning for either, so none is given here.
Cian (Irish, “personal name (meaning uncertain)”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. Two unrelated sources; meanings commonly given are unconfirmed.
Other explanations you may read: Irish for 'ancient'.
Related names: Cian, Keane, Kean.
See also: Irish names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Kian', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- US Social Security Administration, national baby-name data 1880-2025 (usage history only), US Social Security Administration
- CMU Pronouncing Dictionary (cmudict), Carnegie Mellon University
Kian popularity since 1880
A few girls are given the name too: 111 since 1975, 6 in 2025.
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #401 | 797 |
| 2020 | #451 | 659 |
| 2010 | #580 | 436 |
| 2000 | #945 | 161 |
| 1990 | #1,887 | 41 |
| 1980 | #4,743 | 8 |
| 1970 | #5,105 | 5 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Kian, counting every spelling?
Kian is the most common spelling of a name family that ranked #331 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #401 for Kian on its own. Together these spellings went to 1,057 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kian | 797 | #401 | 3,645 |
| Kiaan | 255 | #925 | 1,475 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How many kids will share the name Kian?
797 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Kian (0.22 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Kian born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 11 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Kian.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Kian?
About 13,300 people born in the US named Kian are alive today, with a median age of 10; half are between 5 and 17. That makes Kian a young name: most people with it are children.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Kian by state
How common Kian was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in Hawaii (4.6×), California (1.9×), Washington (1.7×), Nevada (1.7×), Oregon (1.6×). It is least common, relative to the national rate, in Nebraska, New Mexico, West Virginia.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Kian: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Kian, they share its era and feel.
Middle names for Kian · Sibling names for Kian
Questions about the name Kian
What does Kian mean?
The origin of Kian is uncertain: two unrelated sources; meanings commonly given are unconfirmed.
How popular is the name Kian?
Kian was the 401st most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 797 babies. That is its highest rank since records began in 1880. Over the last ten years it has moved up 88 places. More babies were named Kian in the 2010s than in any other decade.
Is Kian a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Kian in the US.
Where is Kian most popular?
In 2021–2025, Kian was most common in Hawaii (1.93 per 1,000 boys), followed by District of Columbia and California.