Ciara

Girl Name #1,365 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Ancient Irish beauty meaning 'dark one'

Irish American British

Classic Strong Earthy Traditional Bold

Meaning & Origin

"dark one, dark-haired"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

"black, dark"

Origin: Old Irish

Language: Irish

Things to Know About This Name

Frequently mispronounced outside Ireland — non-Irish speakers often say see-AR-ah or see-AIR-ah instead of KEER-ah

The Story of Ciara

Ciara (sometimes spelled Keira or Kira in anglicized form) comes from the Old Irish 'ciar,' meaning dark or black. It was originally used to describe dark-haired or dark-complexioned individuals. Saint Ciara of Kilkeary was an early Irish saint, and the name has been used in Ireland continuously for over a thousand years. The name is the feminine form of Ciarán (the little dark one), another ancient Irish name.

Ciara peaked in Ireland and the UK during the 1980s-90s. In the United States, the name gained brief attention partly through singer Ciara (who actually pronounced her name see-AIR-ah rather than the traditional Irish KEER-ah), which created pronunciation confusion. Today it enjoys steady use among Irish-heritage families.

Several early Irish saints bore the name Ciara, including Ciara of Kilkeary and Ciara of Cooraun. The name represents a proud thread of Gaelic feminine tradition and is deeply rooted in Irish Christian heritage. It's a staple in traditional Irish-speaking communities (Gaeltacht regions).

Fun Facts

The name is spelled and pronounced differently in Italian — Chiara (KYAH-ra) also means light/clear in Italian, making it a near-opposite in meaning despite the similar spelling
Saint Ciara of Kilkeary is venerated in the Catholic Church with a feast day on January 5th

Ciara in Other Languages

Irish Ciara

Italian Chiara

Spanish Ciara

Scottish Kira

Anglicized Keira

Famous People Named Ciara

Ciara (singer)

Musician

1985

American R&B singer known for hits like Goodies and 1, 2 Step; married to NFL quarterback Russell Wilson

Saint Ciara of Kilkeary

Religious

Early Irish saint venerated in County Tipperary, one of several early Christian women saints bearing this name

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,365
Total SSA Count: 167
Cultural Origins: Irish American British
Pronunciation: Hard
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Common Nicknames

Ci Cici

Pairs Well With

Ciara Rose Ciara Maeve Ciara Fiona Ciara Brigid Ciara Grace Ciara Anne Ciara Marie

Sibling Names

Aoife Saoirse Niamh Cormac Declan Finn Brigid

Also a Boy Name

Ciara is also used as a boy name, ranked #15119.

View Ciara as a boy name →

Similar Names

Sarah Cora Sara Barbara Vera Claire Clare Clarissa

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ciara

What does the name Ciara mean?

"dark one, dark-haired" (from Irish Gaelic). "black, dark" (from Old Irish). Ciara (sometimes spelled Keira or Kira in anglicized form) comes from the Old Irish 'ciar,' meaning dark or black. It was originally used to describe dark-haired or dark-complexioned individuals. Saint Ciara of Kilkeary was an early Irish saint, and the name has been used in Ireland continuously for over a thousand years. The name is the feminine form of Ciarán (the little dark one), another ancient Irish name.

What is the origin of the name Ciara?

Ciara has Irish Gaelic, Old Irish, Irish, American, and British origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "dark one, dark-haired". In Old Irish, it means "black, dark".

Is Ciara a boy or girl name?

Ciara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1365. As a boy name, it is ranked #15119. Ciara is more commonly used as a girl name.

How popular is the name Ciara?

Ciara is currently ranked #1365 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Ciara?

Common nicknames for Ciara include Ci and Cici.

What are good middle names for Ciara?

Popular middle name pairings include Ciara Rose, Ciara Maeve, Ciara Fiona, Ciara Brigid, Ciara Grace, Ciara Anne, and Ciara Marie.

What are good sibling names for Ciara?

Names that pair well with Ciara as siblings include Aoife, Saoirse, Niamh, Cormac, Declan, Finn, and Brigid.

How many syllables does Ciara have?

Ciara has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Ciara a common or rare name?

Ciara is an uncommon name, ranked #1365 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Ciara

Ciara is a girl name with Irish, American, and British origins . The name means "dark one, dark-haired" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Ciara a boy or girl name? Ciara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,365 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #15,119. Ciara is more commonly used as a girl name.

Ciara is currently ranked #1,365 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Ciara has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Ciara include Ci and Cici. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.