Kean in Irish: Cian
The Irish form of Kean is Cian, a boy's name meaning “ancient, enduring.” Here’s how to say it, where it comes from, and names that go well with it.
Updated September 2026
- Irish form
- Cian
- Meaning
- Ancient, enduring
- Gender
- Boy
- Also spelled
- Kian
How do you say Kean in Irish?
Kean in Irish is Cian, pronounced KEY-in. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first. Other spellings: Kian.
What does Cian mean?
Cian means “ancient, enduring.” Kean is one of the English forms of the name.
Read more about Cian: its meaning, origin and stories
How popular is Kean in Ireland?
Kean wasn't in the 2025 tables, which list names given to at least three babies. It was last recorded in 2007, when 3 baby boys got the name. It was most popular in 2000, when 3 baby boys were named Kean, No. 390 that year. The most babies got the name in 2004: 4. It first appears in the records in 2000, with 3 baby boys.
See the numbers by year
| Year | Babies | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 | No. 629 |
| 2006 | 3 | No. 596 |
| 2004 | 4 | No. 439 |
| 2002 | 4 | No. 393 |
| 2000 | 3 | No. 390 |
Cian in Ogham
Ogham is the oldest way of writing Irish. It was carved along the edges of standing stones, mostly between the 4th and 6th centuries, and read from the bottom up. In later tradition each letter was named after a tree or plant. Here’s Cian, letter by letter.
- CColl, hazel
- IIodhadh, yew
- AAilm, pine
- NNion, ash
Write any name in Ogham with our Ogham translator
Names that go with Kean
Questions about Kean
- What is Kean in Irish?
- The Irish form of Kean is Cian, pronounced KEY-in. Cian means “ancient, enduring.”
- How do you pronounce Cian?
- Cian is pronounced KEY-in. Two syllables, stress on the first. There's a short video above where you can hear it said.
- Is Kean a girl's name or a boy's name?
- Kean is a boy's name.