Keira

Girl Name #609 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

Dark, fierce, and Irish — a name with Gaelic soul

Irish Scottish English American

Elegant Classic Strong Literary

Meaning & Origin

"dark one, black-haired one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

"dark complexioned, shadowy"

Origin: Old Irish

Language: Gaelic

The Story of Keira

Keira is an anglicized variant of the Irish Gaelic name Ciara (pronounced KEER-ah), derived from the Old Irish 'ciar,' meaning 'dark' or 'black.' The name refers to dark features — black hair, dark complexion — and was historically a compliment to a woman of striking dark beauty. Saint Ciara of Kilkeary was an early Irish saint who bore the name with distinction.

Keira surged in popularity in the early 2000s, driven almost entirely by the meteoric rise of British actress Keira Knightley, who appeared in Bend It Like Beckham and Pirates of the Caribbean in 2002–2003. The name shot into UK and US top 100 lists, representing one of the clearest celebrity name influences in modern naming history.

Ireland has a long tradition of 'ciar' names (Ciara, Kieran, Ciarán), as dark hair was associated with the pre-Celtic Fir Bolg people and later romanticized. Saint Ciara is venerated in Irish Catholic tradition. The 'Keira' spelling represents the modern anglicization that makes the Irish sound accessible globally.

Fun Facts

Keira Knightley was born in 1985 — before the name became popular — suggesting her parents were ahead of the trend
The male equivalent Ciarán/Kieran means the same thing: 'dark one'
Saint Ciara of Kilkeary is one of over 20 Irish saints with this name, showing its deep roots in Irish Christian tradition

Keira in Other Languages

Latin Ciara

English Keira/Kyra

Spanish Ciara

Irish Gaelic Ciara

Scottish Gaelic Cìara

Famous People Named Keira

Keira Knightley

Actor

1985

British actress whose breakout roles in Bend It Like Beckham and Pirates of the Caribbean made her one of the most famou...

British actress whose breakout roles in Bend It Like Beckham and Pirates of the Caribbean made her one of the most famous faces of the 2000s, and who propelled this spelling of the name to popularity

Saint Ciara of Kilkeary

Religious

Early Irish saint venerated in the Catholic Church, one of the most beloved early Irish holy women

Kira (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) Fictional

Other

Major Kira Nerys, a Bajoran first officer aboard DS9, one of TV's earliest and most complex female protagonists of color

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #609
Total SSA Count: 492
Cultural Origins: Irish Scottish English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Keiry #2624

Common Nicknames

Kei Kee

Pairs Well With

Keira Rose Keira Elizabeth Keira Anne Keira Grace Keira Louise Keira Marie

Sibling Names

Niamh Aoife Siobhan Declan Cillian Finn

Also a Boy Name

Keira is also used as a boy name, ranked #16047.

View Keira as a boy name →

Similar Names

Myra Mira Kara Akira Kyra Kari Kira Tara

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Keira

What does the name Keira mean?

"dark one, black-haired one" (from Irish Gaelic). "dark complexioned, shadowy" (from Old Irish). Keira is an anglicized variant of the Irish Gaelic name Ciara (pronounced KEER-ah), derived from the Old Irish 'ciar,' meaning 'dark' or 'black.' The name refers to dark features — black hair, dark complexion — and was historically a compliment to a woman of striking dark beauty. Saint Ciara of Kilkeary was an early Irish saint who bore the name with distinction.

What is the origin of the name Keira?

Keira has Irish Gaelic, Old Irish, Irish, Scottish, English, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "dark one, black-haired one". In Old Irish, it means "dark complexioned, shadowy".

Is Keira a boy or girl name?

Keira is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #609. As a boy name, it is ranked #16047. Keira is more commonly used as a girl name.

How popular is the name Keira?

Keira is currently ranked #609 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Keira?

Common nicknames for Keira include Kei and Kee.

What are good middle names for Keira?

Popular middle name pairings include Keira Rose, Keira Elizabeth, Keira Anne, Keira Grace, Keira Louise, and Keira Marie.

What are good sibling names for Keira?

Names that pair well with Keira as siblings include Niamh, Aoife, Siobhan, Declan, Cillian, and Finn.

How many syllables does Keira have?

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

Is Keira a common or rare name?

Keira is moderately common, ranked #609 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Keira

Keira is a girl name with Irish, Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "dark one, black-haired one" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Keira a boy or girl name? Keira is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #609 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,047. Keira is more commonly used as a girl name.

Keira is currently ranked #609 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

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

Common nicknames for Keira include Kei and Kee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Keira include Keiry . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.