Usage of the baby name Kylian more than tripled from 2017 to 2018, according to the U.S. baby name data:
- 2020: 211 baby boys named Kylian [rank: 996th]
- 2019: 227 baby boys named Kylian [rank: 943rd]
- 2018: 172 baby boys named Kylian
- 2017: 55 baby boys named Kylian
- 2016: 27 baby boys named Kylian
- 2015: 12 baby boys named Kylian
Why?
Because of French soccer player Kylian Mbappé (pronounced kee-lee-ahn em-bah-pay).
He began his professional career in 2015, when he was just 16. He has been the French Ligue 1 top scorer for the last three seasons straight, and has twice been named both the French Player of the Year and the Ligue 1 Player of the Year.
But his international play is what caught the attention of expectant parents in the U.S.
At the international level, Mbappé was part of the French squad during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which France ultimately won (defeating Croatia in the final game). Mbappé scored an impressive four goals during the tournament, receiving the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award for his performance.
What are your thoughts on the name Kylian?
P.S. Not surprisingly, usage of the name Kylian in France has also increased over the last few years…
Sources: SSA, Kylian Mbappé – Wikipedia, Ligue 1 Player of the Year – Wikipedia, French Player of the Year – Wikipedia
Image: Adapted from Mbappé playing against Dynamo Dresden by Sandro Halank under CC BY-SA 4.0.
I was just reading about how Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals (8) in the 2022 World Cup, thanks to a hat-trick in the final game earlier today. France ultimately lost to Argentina, but Mbappe’s stellar performance throughout the tournament may give the name Kylian yet another boost…