Julian name meaning might vary, as the name’s origin was shrouded in history. Nevertheless, there are two acceptable roots, either of which gives the name beautiful meanings.
Despite its mysterious roots, Julian sounds incredibly cute and lively. I bet you’ll love waking up your kid by calling this sweet name every morning!
If “Julian” is currently on your baby name list, it’s worth consulting this analysis. This guide also suggests some fantastic sibling and middle names that you can give your kids.
An Overview Of The Name Julian
Before going into details, here are some important facts to know about the name:
| Meaning | Julian means “downy-bearded”, “youthful” in Latin, and “devoted to Jove”, or “father of the sky” in Greek. |
| Origin | Latin, Greek |
| Pronunciation | /Jool-ee-in/ |
| Gender | Mostly given as a male name. |
| Popularity | Julian is quite a common boy name in the US. It has been in the top 50th choices for boys since 2013. Its highest ranking was 31st on the boy name popularity chart in 2019. |
| Variations | Julián, Juliano, Julião, Julio, Juliano, Julyan, Julien, Jolyon, Julien, Julius, Giuliano, Iulian/Yulian, Iulian, etc. |
| Nicknames | Ian, Jay, Jewel, Jools, Jude, Juju, Julek, Julen, Jule, Jules, Julie, July, Lian, etc. |
| Similar Names | Similar names to Julian: Adrian, Cillian, Daniel, Damian, Eirian, Gabriel, Sebastian, etc. Similar names to Julian’s female variants: Elianna, Jewel, Jillian, Julie, Jullian, Leana, Liana, etc. |
| Sibling Names | ● For Boys: Archie, Augustus, Gabriel, Jason, Lucius, Nick, etc. ● For Girls: Alice, Ayla, Evelyn, Marina, Simone, etc. |
| Middle Names | ● For Boys: Alexander, Clarke, Daniel, Patrick, Randall, Roy, Vincent, etc. ● For Girls: Amelia, Catherine, Charlotte, Clara, Eleanor, Marguerite, Sabrina, etc. |
The Name Julian: Origin & Meaning
Julian comes from the Roman name “Julianus”, a derivative of “Julius”. “Julius” is a Roman family name whose origin remains unknown. Possible roots of this name include Greek and Latin.
With its Greek origin, Julian is thought to come from “ιουλος” (ioulos), which means “downy-bearded”. This interpretation connotes youth because young ages are when people grow their first soft hair on their chin. Thus, Julian carries the meaning of “youthful” or “juvenile”.
Regarding its Latin root, it’s derived from the word “Jovilius” for “devoted to Jove”. Jove is a name for the King of Gods Jupiter in ancient Roman mythology. He was known as the god of the sky, so the name Julian ultimately means “father of the sky” (1).
Is Julian A Boy Or Girl Name?
Julian is prominent as a masculine name. In Roman times, it was the name of the last pagan Roman emperor – Julian the Apostate (361 to 363). There was also an important Roman Catholic saint named Julian the Hospitaller living around the same time.
The name first appeared in England in the 13th century, when it was more popular as a girl name. In the US, Julian is among the common boy names in recent years. “Julianne”, “Julia”, “Julianna” and “Julienne” are its female equivalents.
How Popular Is Julian Over Time?
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), Julian is a popular boy’s name in the US. Starting at the 226th spot in 1900, the name was consistently in the top 500 choices for boys up to now.
It has been even more widely used since the early 2000s. This was when Julian landed in the top 100 US most used boy names.
Since then, its popularity has risen steadily, reaching its peak in 31st place in 2019. The latest data shows Julian was America’s 33rd most common name for boys in 2021 (2).
American parents rarely choose Julian as a given name for their baby girls. It didn’t belong to the top 1000 options for female names in the US over the same period.
Julian Spelling Variations
Because Julian has been around for a long time, it has a few variations. Below are just a few examples:
- Julián (Spanish)
- Juliano or Julião (Portuguese)
- Julio (Spanish/Portuguese)
- Juliano, Julyan, Julien (Greek)
- Jolyon (Latin)
- Julien, Julius (French)
- Giuliano (Italia)
- Iulian/Yulian (Russian)
- Iulian (Romanian)
Nicknames And Similar Names
Looking for a nickname to call your little Julian? Here are some cute monikers that sound like “Julian” but are more informal and intimate:
- Ian
- Jay
- Jewel
- Jools
- Jude
- Juju
- Julek
- Julen
- Jule
- Jules
- Julie
- July
- Lian
Here are extra options similar to “Julian” you can consider. These three-syllable names might have different roots or mean entirely different things:
If you’re considering female variants of Julian, also check out these names that sound similar. Some have close meanings to Julian, while others have different (yet equally pretty) meanings.
Ideal Sibling Names To Go With Julian
Already decided to go with Julian? Then, take notes of these ideal sibling names to pair with the name.
For Son
In case you plan to have a child named Julian, you may want to add one or two options below for his future brother:
Archie: Archie is a nickname for Archibald used in Middle Ages-era Scotland. It means “bold”, “brave,” and “genuine”. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry, and Megan, chose this name for their first son.
Augustus: Augustus means “venerable”, “magnificent”, and “majestic”. It delivers a strong statement and is only for those capable of doing great things.
Gabriel: “God is my strength” is the meaning behind this Hebrew name. With such a spiritual meaning, the name can inspire strength and resilience in your newborn.
Jason: This is a name from Greek mythology. Jason was the leader of the Argonauts, who went on the quest for Golden Fleece (3). Its meaning is “healer” in Greek.
Lucius: Lucius comes from the Latin forename Lucius, which traces back to ancient Rome. It refers to “light”, and appears in many plays written by Shakespeare.
Nick: As a diminutive form of “Nicholas”, this Greek boy name translates to “Victory of the people”.
For Daughter
These baby girl names will sound fantastic next to “Julian”. You’ll love their meanings, too:
Alice: Alice held the 64th spot in the popularity chart in 2021. With the meaning of “noble” in German and “truth” in Greek, it’s understandable why the name is among parents’ favorites.
Ayla: This melodious name has multiple meanings inspired by nature. From Hebrew roots, the meaning is “oak tree”. Meanwhile, it’s also a modern Turkish name that translates to “moon halo” and “moonlight”.
Evelyn: Between 2017-2021, Evelyn was among America’s top 10 most used female names. This English-origin name means “desired” and “wished for”.
Marina: This adorable name is derived from the Latin word “Marinus”, which translates to “from the sea”.
Simone: Simone is gender-neutral, but it’s preferably used as a girl name, especially in French. Originating in Hebrew, it means “He has heard” or “God has heard”. Bonus: Simonne, with an extra “n”, is also a nice alternative.
Middle Names To Go With Julian
The right choice of middle names can give extra depth to the full name. If you’re still looking for inspiration, here are some options that sound good together with “Julian”. Since Julian is mostly used for boys, this short list is made up of exclusively male middle names:
Try these male middle names with “Julian” to see if they fit. Also, check out their meanings for a perfect full name that accompanies your boy for the rest of his life.
Alexander: The name is famously tied to Alexander the Great – one of history’s greatest military commanders. “Defender” or “protector of men” is the Greek translation behind it.
Clarke: Stemmed from the Latin word “clericus”, Clarke means “scholar” or “clerk”. If brevity is what you’re looking for in a name, Clarke is a good choice.
Daniel: Daniel is a predominantly male name of Hebrew origin. It originated from two words, “din” (to judge) and “el” (God), which ultimately refers to “God is my judge”.
Patrick: With its Latin roots, this masculine name means “patrician” or “noble”. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. It used to be such a sacred name in this country that people didn’t adopt it for common use until the 17th century.
Randall: This is inherently a badass name for your bundle of joy. With the meaning of “wolf shield”, Randall can instill in your baby the spirit and courage of a warrior.
Roy: Roy is a Celtic name that means “red”, since it’s an anglicized version of “ruadh”. The name is also believed to come from the French “roi” – a word for “king”. Whether you have a red-haired boy or want an air of royalty, Roy is a nice option.
Vincent: You can consider this Latin name if you seek something that never goes out of style. Referring to “conqueror” and “victorious”, Vincent can be an inspiration for anyone with the name.
Is Julian Common In Popular Culture?
Julian is also commonly used for fictional characters. You’ve probably heard of the name in several TV series and movies:
Julian: The main protagonist in the TV series Trailer Park Boys.
Julian: Recurring character in the American teen drama TV series – The Vampire Diaries.
Julian Baker: Character in American drama series One Tree Hill on The WB.
Julian Bashir: Character in TV series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9).
Julian Craster: Character in the 1948 British drama The Red Shoes.
Julian Konzern: Recurring character in the Japanese role-playing video game Metal Saga.
Julian Marx: Character in Bullets Over Broadway the Musical written by Woody Allen.
Julian Sark: Recurring character in the action thriller and science fiction TV series Alias.
Famous People Named Julian
There is a long list of notable personalities named Julian. These famous Julains will surely encourage your kid to reach for success in his/her life:
Julian Assange (born 1971): Australian publisher, editor, and activist and also known as the founder of Wikileaks in 2006.
Julian Casablancas (born 1978): American lead vocalist of The Strokes rock band.
Julian Edelman (born 1986): Former American football wide receiver.
Julian Lennon (born 1963): English musician, widely known as the son of the Beatles member John Lennon.
Julian Marley (born 1975): British Jamaican reggae musician, songwriter, and producer.
Julian McMahon (born 1968): Australian actor, also known as the son of a former Prime Minister of Australia, Sir William McMahon.
Julian Morris (born 1983): English actor.
Julian Quiñones (born 1997): Colombian professional footballer.
Julian Sands (born 1958): English actor.
FAQs
Besides important facts to know, I also answer some questions that might leave you wondering:
Does “Julian” Sound Like A Good Choice?
Julian can be considered a longtime favorite, with its high ranking on the boy name popularity chart. Yet, the name can make a special gift if you decide it for your girls, too. Don’t forget to check amazing middle names and sibling names to pair with Julian.
How do you feel about this name? Feel free to tell me by dropping a comment. Share this post if you like the content. Check out my other articles if you want to find out more wonderful names for your babies!
Reference
- britannica.com. 2022. Jupiter Roman god
- ssa.gov. 2022. The Popularity Of A Name
- theoi.com. 2019. What is the Story of Jason and the Golden Fleece?