Khian
A boy's name of Thai origin with 87 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Khian hit its peak of 11 births in 2014, social media, global pop culture, and a growing appetite for unique names were reshaping how American parents chose names.
Today, Khian reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Khian is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Khian is a boy's baby name, possibly of Thai origin (meaning 'green' or 'writing') or related to the Irish Cian ('ancient'). It works across multiple cultures.
Khian is a name of cross-cultural elegance — whether Thai green or Irish antiquity, it carries quiet beauty.
EtymologyShow more
Khian is built from 5 letters and one syllable — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Thai naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Khian creates its characteristic clean, contemporary quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Khian has 12+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2007.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 17 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 54 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 16 | — |
The Story of Khian
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2014, Khian is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Khian are most likely born between 2007 and 2022.
How rare is Khian?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Khian is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2007, peaked in the 2010s with 54 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Khian by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(12 years, 2007–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 9 | #8669 |
| 2020 | 8 | #9160 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13192 |
| 2018 | 6 | #11528 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11537 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11513 |
| 2015 | 8 | #9197 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7319 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11588 |
| 2010 | 6 | #11550 |
| 2009 | 7 | #10499 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8607 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Khian a boy's or girl's name?
When was Khian most popular?
How popular is the name Khian?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2007–2022