Julian
What does Julian mean and where does it come from?
Julian is a name derived from the Latin name 'Julianus', which is a diminutive form of 'Julus' or 'Julius'. Although Julian is typically a male name, it has seen increasing use as a feminine name, particularly in modern times. It first appeared as a given name in the English language around the late
How else can you spell Julian?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Julian?
Julian works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
How popular is Julian right now?
Holding steady — currently #25 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Julian
Julian has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. Its peak popularity was #31 in 2019. More than 230,761 babies have been named Julian since 1880. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #296 in 1880 to #33 in 2023. Julian is used for both genders: 1% female and 99% male.
Names that peaked alongside Julian in 2025:
Julian by decade
Julian peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 440 | |
| 1890s | 589 | |
| 1900s | 838 | |
| 1910s | 4,767 | |
| 1920s | 7,079 | |
| 1930s | 4,950 | |
| 1940s | 5,254 | |
| 1950s | 4,918 | |
| 1960s | 4,964 | |
| 1970s | 6,959 | |
| 1980s | 13,404 | |
| 1990s | 28,317 | |
| 2000s | 61,080 | |
| 2010s ★ | 79,682 | |
| 2020s | 22,554 |
What are good nicknames for Julian?
What names sound and feel like Julian?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Julian also consider these