The first name Julian

In 2025, 141 boys were named Julian, making it the 314th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2017, with 198 births (#268).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Julian with other names.

In 2025, 7,603 boys born in the United States were named Julian, the 25th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2017, when 8,455 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Spelled Julian in Danish, Dutch, German, Norwegian, Polish and Tagalog too.

Nicknames for Julian

• Jools
• Jules

• Julian Assange
  Australian editor, publisher, and activist (born 1971)
• Julian Seymour Schwinger
  American theoretical physicist (1918–1994)
• Julian Draxler
  German association football player (born 1993)
• Julián Alvarez
  Argentine footballer (born 2000)
• Julian Barnes
  English writer (born 1946)
• Julian Huxley
  British evolutionary biologist, philosopher, author (1887–1975)
• Julian Nagelsmann
  German association football manager, born 1987
• Julian Brandt
  German association football player (born 1996)
• Julian of Norwich
  English theologian and anchoress, 1342–1500
• Julian McMahon
  Australian–American actor (1968–2025)
• Julian Lennon
  English musician; son of John Lennon, born 1963
• Julian Sands
  British actor (1958-2023)

• Leo
• Lucas
• Paul
• Max
• Theodore
• Sebastian
• Anthony
• Gabriel
• Patrick
• Martin
• Mark
• Roman
• Leon
• Francis
• Felix
• Victor

All 381 names of Latin origin

What does the name Julian mean?

Ultimately from Latin Iūliānus.

What is the origin of the name Julian?

Ultimately from Latin Iūliānus.

How popular is the name Julian?

In 2025, 141 boys born in England and Wales were named Julian, ranking 314th. Its peak was 2017, with 198 births.

What are nicknames for Julian?

Common nicknames for Julian include Jools, Jules.

Is Julian a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 268,291 US babies named Julian since 1880 were boys.

When was Julian most popular?

2017 in the United States, when 8,455 babies were named Julian, its highest rank at 37th.

How do you pronounce Julian?

Julian is /ˈd͡ʒuː.li.ən/, 3 syllables.

What name is Julian a form of?

Julian is a form of Gillian.

What are other spellings of Julian?

Jolyon, Julyan, Jullian and Gillian.

Is Julian also a surname?

Yes. Julian is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.