Need reassurance on son's name

[Moodhasplummeted]

I wouldn't normally do a post like this but I'm really struggling with my son's name and I just need a place to vent.
He is nearly 3 years old and there is nothing I can do about it now. We couldn't agree on names and I ended up agreeing to my DH's favourite straight after a c section. I had so much regret the year after he was born but could never quite bring myself to change it. I think if DH had known I would still be agonising over it 3 years later he would have let me change it.

I love names and have been thinking about them since I was a young girl so to not have been able to use my favourite names has really got to me. My son's name is Cillian. It has a K sound for those that don't know.
Please don't post anything negative about it.
Every time I introduce him I feel weird saying his name, and I feel regret that I can't introduce a name I love. There are so many names I love.
I adore my little boy so much and feel a lot of guilt about this.

It's my absolute favourite name. Beautiful, strong man's name. love it.

I like it a lot, and yes to the German saint - I've known a few Kilians in Germany (I think it's mainly spelled with one L there). Nobody associates it with kill/killer (which are accepted loan words in German, so common enough).

Of course no German would associate Killian with kill or killer! In German those words have no meaning... Nor in French!

It's only in English where kill means well, to kill.

I love Cillian and would have picked it for bump but I've already got a nephew with that name.

I agree with others,it’s a lovely name!

And refreshing to see a name that’s not in the top ten or on the other hand made up/spelt badly.

I really like this name.

You're over thinking it. Don't worry about shortenings! Plenty of other names have first syllables that are a word. It doesn't stop the whole name being popular.

Madison - mad
Louis/Louise/Luke - loo
Helena - hell
Freya - fray
William - will (and testament)
Noah - no
Abigail - ab
Layla - lay
Gabriel - gay

I know one he’s nearly 3 😉. Perfectly good name. Parents are Irish heritage.

And this is why you should never ask for name advice on MN, absolutely batshit replies

Madison - mad
Louis/Louise/Luke - loo
Helena - hell
Freya - fray
William - will (and testament)
Noah - no
Abigail - ab
Layla - lay
Gabriel - gay

What's wrong with ab or lay?

Very cool name, I’m surprised it’s not more popular. Maybe it is in Ireland I don’t know.

don’t worry about being bullied, it’s not like Georgie Porgie etc. a bully won’t use it bc it kinda “punches up” then down.

Classic Irish name. I know loads of them of all ages and in my experience Cillians tend to be sound! Cillian Murphy and Kylian Mbappé will only further its popularity.

It's a solid, sensible name and as previous poster said Mbappé is a pretty awesome namesake.

It's a gorgeous name OP!

It's a nice name. If you wanted a short form that didn't include the 'kill' sound, how about Lee. Or Lian, or even Liam

Cillian Murphy 😍😍😍

Definitely on the rise @Moodhasplummeted

names.darkgreener.com/#cillian

Haven’t read all the comments but I love it. Only positive associations since Cillian Murphy is such a strong actor and also appears to be a lovely chap. The word ‘kill’ has never entered my mind when I’ve heard it.

It's a great name and was a strong contender for my first born.
I'm almost wondering if I have met you op, I met a mum at a playgroup the other day and she seemed almost shocked when I said how much I liked the name when she introduced her 'Cillian'.

Just so you know, I went with another name because my massive crush on both Cillian Murphy and the fictional Killian Jones meant it wasn't a good choice for my own child, so would have used it had it not been for that lol!

@YouScumbagYouMaggotHeresKevinTheCarrot I also have a big crush on Cillian murphy 🤭 my DH is fully aware and didnt mind as it meant he got to use his fave Irish name.

To be fair I fail to see how anyone who has eyes cannot have a crush on him lol.

Thanks so much for cheering me up and reminding me why I chose his name, it's just what I needed.

I've been posting on and off on baby names for about 12 years when we first started considering names and I've always tried to be constructive and helpful. I'm so grateful for the support and kind words as this really has been a big issue for me. Reminds me why I love Mumsnet, you're a lovely lot 😊

I've meet an adult named Killian, he was a successful and lovely guy. The name certainly hasn't held him back.

It's not unusual for parents to have several pet names for their children, I suggest you start calling your son some variations on his middle name, it gives your and him some options in the future.

Gorgeous, solid Irish name, love it. It's also quite an attractive name for a man too.

I work with a Killian and I have never once thought about the 'Kill' part of his name.