Kyan's legal birth name is Hugh Edward, but he was always known as 'Eddie' growing up (his father, who has the same name, goes by 'Ed'). He changed his name to Kyan, which he describes as a "spiritual name," when he was in his twenties. Everyone, including his family, calls him Kyan.
Kyan on being a role model: I'm very proud to be a gay American human being. I feel very honored to be able to do what I do, being a gay man. I've tried to take tthe opportunity to be as positive a person as I can be, as positive role model as I can be. But I've always been active in the gay community and have always gathered my strength from the gay community.