Balian
A masculine name of Turkish origin meaning "honey maker or bear keeper".
Name Census estimates that about 335 living Americans carry the first name Balian. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Balian today is around 13 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Balian births was 2010 (35 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Balian. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
335
~ 1 in 1,023,147 Americans
Peak year
2010
35 babies that year
Average age
13
years old
2024 SSA rank
#5,917
Tracked since 2006
Popularity
Balian: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Balian from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 198 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2010s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Balian by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Balian during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Balians live
Origin
Meaning and history of Balian
The name Balian has its roots in the Armenian language and culture, originating in the medieval period. It is derived from the Armenian word "bal," meaning "honey," and is often associated with sweetness, gentleness, and kindness.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Balian dates back to the 12th century, when it was borne by Balian of Ibelin, a prominent figure during the Crusades. He played a crucial role in the defense of Jerusalem against Saladin's forces in 1187 and later became the Lord of Beirut.
Another notable figure with the name Balian was Balian d'Ibelin, a 13th-century nobleman and military leader who served as the Constable of Jerusalem during the Sixth Crusade. He was known for his bravery and diplomatic skills, and his exploits were recorded in various chronicles of the Crusades.
In the 14th century, Balian Butron was a prominent Armenian nobleman and military leader who fought against the Mamluk Sultanate. He is remembered for his efforts in defending the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and his resistance against the Mamluk invasion.
Moving forward in time, Balian Beshiktashlian (1828-1890) was an Armenian writer, journalist, and educator who made significant contributions to the development of modern Armenian literature and education. He founded several schools and published numerous works, including textbooks and literary works.
Another notable figure with the name Balian was Balian Ardzrouni (1921-1987), an Armenian painter and artist who is considered one of the pioneers of modern Armenian art. His works, which often depicted Armenian landscapes and folklore, are celebrated for their unique style and artistic expression.
Throughout history, the name Balian has been associated with bravery, leadership, and cultural significance, particularly within the Armenian community. Its origins can be traced back to ancient times, and it has been carried by influential figures across various fields, from military leaders and nobles to writers, artists, and educators.
People
Balian + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Balian as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with B
Other first names starting with B with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Balian: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Balian?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 335 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Balian going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,023,147 US residents.
Is Balian a common name?
We classify Balian as "Very Rare". It ranks above 80.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 338 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Balian most popular?
The single biggest year for Balian was 2010, when 35 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Balian is about 13 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Balian a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Balian in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.