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

Popularity of Urian by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Urian is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Urian.

The history of the first name Urian

The name Urian is believed to have originated in ancient Mesopotamia, where it was likely derived from the Sumerian words "ur" meaning "city" and "an" meaning "heaven" or "sky." This suggests that the name may have carried connotations of a celestial or divine city. The earliest known use of the name dates back to the 3rd millennium BCE, when it appeared in cuneiform inscriptions found in the region.

Urian was a relatively uncommon name in ancient times, but it did gain some prominence in certain religious and historical contexts. In the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature, there is a character named Urian who serves as a minor figure in the story. Additionally, the name is mentioned in several ancient Sumerian and Akkadian texts, often in reference to deities or mythological figures.

In the centuries that followed, the name Urian appeared sporadically in various parts of the Middle East and Mediterranean region. One notable historical figure bearing this name was Urian of Alexandria, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century CE and was executed during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Decius.

During the Middle Ages, the name Urian was relatively rare, but it did surface occasionally in certain regions. One example is Urian of Vercelli, an Italian Catholic prelate who lived in the 12th century and served as the Bishop of Vercelli from 1148 until his death in 1186.

In more recent times, the name Urian has remained uncommon, but there have been a few notable individuals who carried it. One such person was Urian Oakes (1631-1681), an English-born Puritan minister who served as the president of Harvard College from 1675 until his death.

Another notable Urian was Urian Andrade (1897-1957), a Mexican artist and muralist who was part of the Mexican Muralism movement and is known for his contributions to the decoration of public buildings in Mexico City.

Despite its relative obscurity, the name Urian has persisted throughout history, carrying with it echoes of its ancient origins and associations with divinity, mythology, and celestial themes.

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

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

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