Kira

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEER-ah /ˈkɪər.ə/High

Meaning: Feminine form of Cyrus from Persian Kurush meaning sun or lord; also used as a feminine form of Irish Ciaran meaning dark one; multiple independent originsMedium

In 30 seconds: Kira is a bright, international name with roots in Persian, Greek, and Irish traditions — a name that feels both exotic and effortlessly wearable across cultures.

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Origin MediumPersian, Irish, Greek

MeaningFeminine form of Cyrus from Persian Kurush meaning sun or lord; also used as a feminine form of Irish Ciaran meaning dark one; multiple independent origins

U.S. rank (2025)#385 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births801 girls (0.05% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2005

Total births (all-time)≈ 40,819

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Kira has multiple etymological streams: as a feminine form of the Persian royal name Cyrus (from Kurush, meaning sun or throne); as a feminine of Irish Ciarán meaning dark one; and via Russian and Eastern European cultures as an independent name.

In the United States, Kira gained popularity in the late 20th century. In anime culture, the character Light Yagami is nicknamed Kira (from Killer), adding a pop-culture dimension.

Did you know? In Japanese, kira is an onomatopoeic word for sparkling or glittering, making the name resonate with anime fans and giving it an extra layer of luminous meaning.

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Kira — etymology and multiple originsU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KyraKeiraCira

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Kira…

Kyra— alternate spelling of the same name, sharing every quality

Keira— shares the Irish-Celtic sound and elegant feminine feel

Vera— shares the crisp two-syllable European feel and timeless cross-cultural appeal

Lyra— shares the bright, short, literary feel with a musical quality

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kira mean?

Kira has multiple origins: it can mean sun or lord from Persian Cyrus, or dark one as a feminine form of Irish Ciarán.

How do you pronounce Kira?

It is said KEER-ah /ˈkɪər.ə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kira the same as Kyra?

Kira and Kyra are alternate spellings of the same name with the same pronunciation and origin.

Is Kira a popular name?

Kira has been a steady presence in the U.S. top 300 girls' names for several decades.