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

Popularity of Kian by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 732 male babies and 8 female babies born with the name Kian.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 8 baby girls were named Kian in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kian

The name Kian is believed to have originated from the Persian language, with roots tracing back to ancient Persia, now modern-day Iran. It is derived from the Old Persian word "Kayān," which refers to the Kayanian dynasty, a legendary dynasty that ruled over parts of Greater Iran during the mythical age.

The name Kian can be found in various ancient Persian texts and legends, including the epic poem "Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi. In this epic, Kian is mentioned as the name of a character, a prince from the Kayanian dynasty.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kian dates back to the 6th century AD, when a Persian prince named Kian lived during the Sasanian Empire. However, the name likely predates this period, as it is deeply rooted in Persian mythology and folklore.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kian. One of the most famous was Kian Sani (born around 1010 AD), a renowned Persian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the advancement of science during the Islamic Golden Age.

Another notable figure was Kian Khusraw (born around 1050 AD), a Persian prince and military leader who played a crucial role in defending the Seljuk Empire against invading forces.

In the 13th century, Kian Bahadur Khan (born around 1220 AD) was a powerful military commander who served under the Mongol ruler Hulagu Khan and played a pivotal role in the conquest of Persia.

During the 16th century, Kian Ghiyath al-Din (born around 1520 AD) was a prominent Persian calligrapher and poet who left a lasting legacy in the art of Persian calligraphy.

More recently, Kian Tajbakhsh (born in 1962) is an Iranian-American scholar and activist who has been recognized for his work in promoting human rights and democracy in Iran.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Kian, a name that has its roots in ancient Persian culture and mythology.

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

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

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