The spelling of the word "Kilbourn" may seem confusing at first glance, but it can be explained through IPA phonetic transcription. The pronunciation is /ˈkɪlbərn/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "kil" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by a schwa sound in the second syllable, and the "bourn" is pronounced with a silent "e" and a nasal "n" sound. So, despite the unusual spelling, the pronunciation is relatively straightforward once you break it down phonetically.
The word "Kilbourn" is a surname of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic elements "cil" meaning "cell" or "church" and "borne" meaning "stream" or "burn". When combined, "Kilbourn" suggests "church or cell by the stream" or "the church or cell near the burn". Surnames often emerged from place names, and in this case, "Kilbourn" likely originated from a location in Scotland associated with a church or cell situated near a stream.