Julian is a distinctive choice, ranked #280 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Julian in their class.
Origin & Meaning
Latin — Youthful, downy-bearded
💎
UK Rank 2024
#280
US Rank #30
About the Name Julian
Julian is holding steady in the rankings at #280. It reached its peak of #267 in 2022 and has maintained consistent levels since — the hallmark of a name with lasting rather than trend-driven appeal. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
In terms of origin, Julian is rooted in Latin, where it means "Youthful, downy-bearded". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Julian is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #30, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Julian
Unlikely. With around 161 UK babies named Julian per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Julian in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Julian has held a stable position around #280 for several years. It reached its recorded peak of #267 in 2022 and has maintained consistent levels since — suggesting lasting rather than trend-driven appeal.
The name Julian has Latin origins and means "Youthful, downy-bearded". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Julian include: Julian Assange — Julian Paul Assange is an Australian editor, programmer, and publisher who founded WikiLeaks in 2006.; Julian Nagelsmann — Julian Nagelsmann is a German professional football coach who is currently the manager of the Germany national team.; Julian Champagnie — Julian Kymani Champagnie is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA)..
Julian ranks #30 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
161
UK babies named Julian (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
→ Stable
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Julian
Likely around 1 other Julian in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Julian
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Julian Paul Assange is an Australian editor, programmer, and publisher who founded WikiLeaks in 2006. He came to international attention in 2010 after WikiLeaks published a series of leaks from Chelsea Manning, a United States Army intelligence analyst: footage of a U.S.
Julian Nagelsmann is a German professional football coach who is currently the manager of the Germany national team. He has previously managed TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Julian Bartoszewicz was a Polish historian. Bartoszewicz wrote a biography on Nicolaus Copernicus, which was published together with the Collected Works of Copernicus in 1854 in Warsaw.
The Académie Julian (French pronunciation: [akademi ʒyljɑ̃]) was a private art school for painting and sculpture founded in Paris, France, in 1867 by French painter and teacher Rodolphe Julian. The school was active from 1868 through 1968.
Julian (Latin: Flavius Claudius Julianus; Ancient Greek: Ἰουλιανός Ioulianos; 331 – 26 June 363) was the Caesar of the West from 355 to 360 and Roman emperor from 361 to 363, as well as a notable philosopher and author in Greek. His rejection of Christianity, and his promotion of Neoplatonic Hellenism caused him to be remembered as Julian the Apostate in the Christian tradition.
Julian Kymani Champagnie is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the St.