Keira
Keira Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈkɪɹ.ə/
Meaning of Keira: Keira is an anglicized feminine form of the Irish Ciara, itself the feminine of Ciaran, derived from the Old Irish ciar meaning dark, dark-haired, or swarthy. Saint Ciara of Kilkeary (6th-7th century) is the earliest named bearer in Irish hagiography.
The Keira spelling represents a phonetic anglicization that distinguishes it from Ciara and Kira, both of which share the same or related etymological roots but differ in spelling convention and cultural origin. In Ireland, Ciara is the standard spelling; Keira is more common in the UK and United States.
British actress Keira Knightley (born 1985) brought the spelling to international prominence. Her roles in Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-2007), and Pride and Prejudice (2005) drove a measurable rise in US and UK SSA registrations of the Keira spelling during the 2000s and 2010s.
What Does Keira Mean? Origin & Etymology
Keira ranked 609 for girls in the United States in 2024 with 492 births. It has maintained consistent mid-level popularity since its Knightley-driven peak in the 2000s, without a sharp decline, suggesting the name has established independent appeal beyond the celebrity driver.
The name belongs to a cluster of Irish-feminine names popular in the 2000s-2020s, including Sienna, Maeve, Niamh, and Aoife, all of which reflect a broader fashion for Celtic and specifically Irish names outside Ireland. Further reading: etymology records and US popularity records from SSA.
How Popular Is Keira?
Numerology & Symbolism of Keira
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Keira – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Keira
What does the name Keira mean?
Keira means dark or dark-haired, from the Old Irish word ciar. It is a feminine form of Ciaran, an Irish name meaning dark one, borne by several early Irish saints including Saint Ciaran of Clonmacnoise (c. 516-549). The name therefore carries ancient Celtic roots with a clear and evocative physical meaning.
How popular is Keira as a baby name?
Keira ranked 609 for girls in the United States in 2024 with 492 births, according to SSA data. It rose significantly during the 2000s following Keira Knightley's international fame from Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) and Pride and Prejudice (2005). It has maintained consistent mid-level popularity since its peak decade.
What is the difference between Keira, Ciara, and Kira?
Keira and Ciara share the same Irish root ciar (dark) and the same pronunciation (KEER-uh in Anglophone use). Ciara is the standard Irish spelling; Keira is the anglicized form more common in the UK and US. Kira is a separate name with different origins: it derives from the Persian Cyrus or Greek Kyra meaning lady or throne. All three sound similar but are etymologically distinct.
Who made the name Keira famous?
British actress Keira Knightley (born 1985) is the primary driver of the spelling's global recognition. Her breakout films Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-2007), and Pride and Prejudice (2005) coincided with a measurable rise in Keira registrations in UK and US SSA data. She is still the most internationally recognized bearer.
What names are similar to Keira?
The closest equivalent is Ciara (the standard Irish spelling). Names in the same Irish feminine cluster include Maeve, Niamh, Aoife, Siobhan, and Saoirse. For parents who like the sound but prefer non-Celtic alternatives, Kyra, Kira, and Lyra offer similar phonetics with different origins. Keira pairs well in sibling sets with Finn, Declan, or Cormac.