Find out how popular the first name Julian has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Julian by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Julian is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Julian being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7,078 male babies and 20 female babies born with the name Julian.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 20 baby girls were named Julian in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Julian

The name Julian has its origins in the late Roman Empire, derived from the ancient Roman family name Julianus. This name traces its roots back to the gens Iulia, one of the most prominent patrician families in ancient Rome, which claimed descent from the mythological hero Iulus, son of Aeneas.

The name gained widespread recognition and popularity due to its association with several notable Roman emperors who bore the name, including Julian the Apostate (331-363 AD), who ruled during the Constantinian dynasty. Julian the Apostate is remembered for his attempts to revive traditional Roman religious practices and his opposition to Christianity, which had become the dominant religion in the empire.

Another historically significant figure bearing the name Julian was Julian of Norwich (1342-1416), an English anchoress and mystic who wrote the influential theological work "Revelations of Divine Love." Her writings, which explored themes of God's love and the nature of sin and salvation, had a profound impact on the development of Christian mysticism in England.

In the 6th century, Julian of Toledo (642-690) was a prominent Visigothic bishop and theologian who played a significant role in the conversion of the Visigothic Kingdom to Catholicism. His works, including treatises on the Trinity and Christology, were highly influential in shaping the theological discourse of the time.

During the Renaissance, Julian Cesarini (1398-1444) was a prominent Italian cardinal and diplomat who played a key role in organizing the Council of Basel, which sought to resolve the Western Schism and address issues of church reform. He was also a vocal advocate for the crusade against the Ottoman Turks.

In more recent history, Julian Assange (born 1971) is an Australian editor, publisher, and activist, best known as the founder of the whistleblower website WikiLeaks. His involvement in publishing classified government documents, particularly those related to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has made him a controversial figure in the realm of information transparency and national security.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Julian throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields, from theology and mysticism to politics and activism. The enduring popularity of this name can be attributed to its rich historical lineage and its association with prominent figures across different eras.

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 Julian was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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