Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Kirtan since 1974
Babies named Kirtan per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2009, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kirtan's real moment was 2016.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 31 |
| 2000s | 50 |
| 2010s | 75 |
| 2020s | 18 |
Meaning & origin
Kirtan is a rare name in the United States, first recorded in 1974. It has remained consistently uncommon, with a rank of 12,008 in 2025 and a 1-in-341,615 incidence. The name's peak usage occurred in 2016, though it has never reached wide popularity. Its origins are ambiguous; it may be a variant of the Irish name Kieran or a modern coinage inspired by the Hindu term 'kirtan', meaning devotional song. This dual possibility gives it a multicultural appeal. Given its rarity, Kirtan has no strong association with any particular U.S. state, as it has not ranked highly enough to break out regionally. The name's trajectory is stable, indicating that while it has never been common, it also has not experienced a significant decline. For parents seeking a name that is both distinctive and carries potential spiritual or cultural resonance, Kirtan remains an intriguing choice.
Kirtan may be a variant of the Irish name Kieran, which derives from the Old Irish 'Ciarán', meaning 'little dark one'. Alternatively, it could be a modern invention inspired by the Sanskrit term 'kīrtan', referring to a style of Hindu devotional chanting. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1974, suggesting a relatively recent adoption, possibly as a blend or respelling. Its usage remains rare, with no clear peak in popularity.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kirt, Kier
Variants: Kiertan, Kirtin, Kieran
Sibling names for Kirtan
Names that share Kirtan's style, for a brother or sister.
