Find out how popular the first name Cian has been for the last 48 years (from 1976 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cian by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Cian is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Cian being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 126 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Cian.

The history of the first name Cian

The name Cian is of Irish origin, derived from the ancient Gaelic word "cián," which means "ancient" or "enduring." It has been used as a given name in Ireland for centuries, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 6th century AD.

In Irish mythology, Cian was the name of a prominent figure, the son of Dian Cecht, the god of healing and one of the principal deities of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the ancient Irish race of supernatural beings. Cian was also the father of Lugh, one of the most important and revered gods in Irish mythology, known as the "Shining One" and associated with skill, craftsmanship, and the harvest.

One of the earliest recorded historical figures with the name Cian was Cian mac Máelmuad, a 10th-century King of Munster, an ancient kingdom in southern Ireland. Another notable bearer of the name was Cian Ó Cuill, a 16th-century Irish poet and historian from County Offaly.

In more recent history, Cian O'Callaghan, born in 1993, is an Irish professional footballer who currently plays as a defender for the English club Queens Park Rangers. Cian Healy, born in 1987, is an Irish rugby union player who has represented Ireland at international level and plays for the Leinster provincial team.

Cian Cowley, born in 1988, is an Irish hurler who plays as a right corner-back for the Waterford senior hurling team and has won several accolades, including an All-Star award in 2017. Cian Nugent, born in 1982, is an Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist based in the United States, known for his solo work and collaborations with various artists.

Cian O'Connor, born in 1979, is an Irish show jumping rider who has competed in multiple Olympic Games and won several prestigious international competitions, including the Aga Khan Trophy in 2013.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cian was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cian, please contact us.

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