Hello, I want my son to have an [name_u]Irish[/name_u] name and I keep coming across Killian/Cillian. I’d like to use the [name_u]Irish[/name_u] spelling “Cillian” but I’m not sure if this name is too different here in the states where he would constantly be having to spell it. I know the actor [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] [name_u]Murphy[/name_u] is becoming popular over here. If you live in the US, what are your thoughts?
I love in the US and know a boy (who also lives in the US) named [name_u]Killian[/name_u]! He’ll be about 5 or 6 years old now. It’s such a great, strapping, lively name—I just love it!
I know it’s common to hear that it takes people time to come ‘round to, thanks to the ‘kill’ syllable, but then there’s the classic [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] spelling to circumvent that trouble anyway. It doesn’t deter me from absolutely adoring that name!
[name_m]Cillian[/name_m] [name_u]Murphy[/name_u] and his ever-growing popularity are a totally helpful point in the ‘yes’ column for this name!! I also think of [name_u]Killian[/name_u] [name_m]Jones[/name_m] from Once Upon A Time, who may be a more niche reference considering he’s not so relevant anymore… but I love that guy too 
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I’m a big fan of [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] [name_u]Murphy[/name_u], and in several interviews I’ve seen of him with Americans, his name is mispronounced as Sill-ian. [name_m]Just[/name_m] something to think about.
However, I wouldn’t let this deter you if you really love it, it’s not too difficult to learn, imo.
Came to say this! The Killian spelling is more intuitive, but I still prefer Cillian. You would need to correct people the first time around, but I think they’d learn it eventually. The actor is becoming popular so who knows, his name (and pronunciation!) may make it to the mainstream media.
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I personally think “Killian” looks too similar to Killing
I know a teenage [name_u]Killian[/name_u] in the US! I do think the [name_u]Killian[/name_u] spelling might be easier for Americans, but if you love [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] I doubt it would cause that many problems, just correcting the pronunciation at first. But since “C” does make the [k] sound in the US (even if it’s usually a [s] sound before an i) I think the correction shouldn’t be too confusing.
Killian/Cillian is cool, sharp, and energetic! Great choice.
I’m in the US, and I knew a [name_u]Killian[/name_u] growing up and I always thought it was a very cool name! I like the [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] spelling better and think [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] [name_u]Murphy[/name_u] has made it much more mainstream
There’s a very short list of names that are too different for the United States. That ones not one of them. I like it a lot actually.
i’m in the us, and i teach a killian who is two. no one really thinks his name is odd! it fits him so well, and imo, it’s a cool alternative to finnian. 
@snowmaiden it’s been a while since i’ve seen a good once upon a time reference. he was a great character! definitely gives the name much more charm. 
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there.
I think that [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] is lovely! [name_u]Strong[/name_u] and charming and unique. [name_f]My[/name_f] nine year old nephew is [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] spelled this way. We live in the U.S. He’s gotten a handful of ‘silly-in’ in his life when people read his name on paper and don’t know how to pronounce it. I haven’t actually talked to him about it, but his mom is adamant that it’s worth the mispronunciations once in a while to have such a cool authentic [name_u]Irish[/name_u] name.
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps. 
I prefer [name_m]Cillian[/name_m] and think it’s totally usable in the US.
In [name_f]English[/name_f], almost all words with a “ci” have the C pronounced like an S. City, cinder, and so on. It will probably be read as Silly-an by many, but no it’s not “too different.”