Kyra

♀ Girl

Pronounced KY-ruh /ˈkaɪ.rə/High

Meaning: Feminine form of Cyrus, from Old Persian Kourosh meaning 'throne' or 'sun', borne by Cyrus the Great of Persia; also linked to the Greek kyrios meaning 'lord'High

In 30 seconds: Kyra is the elegant feminine form of Cyrus, meaning throne or sun in Old Persian. It carries the regal legacy of Cyrus the Great alongside a soft, modern two-syllable sound beloved in contemporary naming.

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Origin HighPersian, Greek

MeaningFeminine form of Cyrus, from Old Persian Kourosh meaning 'throne' or 'sun', borne by Cyrus the Great of Persia; also linked to the Greek kyrios meaning 'lord'

U.S. rank (2025)#830 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births329 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2005

Total births (all-time)≈ 38,276

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Kyra is the feminine form of Cyrus, from Old Persian Kourosh, whose meaning is debated — possibilities include 'throne', 'sun', or 'young'. Cyrus the Great (c. 600–530 BC), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, famously freed the Babylonian captives including Jewish exiles, for which he is praised in the Hebrew Bible (Isaiah 45). The Greek form Kyros gave rise to Kyra as a feminine.

Kyra became popular in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century, appealing to parents attracted to its crisp K-initial sound and regal roots. It was boosted by actress Kyra Sedgwick, who maintained a high public profile in the 2000s. The name sits comfortably in the family of K-names that dominated the charts — Kayla, Kylie, Keira — while retaining a distinctive historical depth.

Did you know? Cyrus the Great, the Persian king whose name underlies Kyra, issued the Cyrus Cylinder in 539 BC — often called the world's first declaration of human rights — making this name's royal ancestor one of history's most enlightened rulers.

Overall data confidence 86%

Behind the Name — Kyra — Persian and Greek etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KiraCyraKeira

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Kyra Sedgwick (1965–present)
American actress known for her role as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson in the television series The Closer.

If you like Kyra…

Kira— a near-identical variant spelling of the same name

Lyra— shares the elegant two-syllable -ra ending and classical feel

Vera— same crisp two-syllable classical name with timeless quality

Zara— similar bright, two-syllable international feminine appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kyra mean?

Kyra means throne or sun in Old Persian, as the feminine form of Cyrus, name of the founder of the Persian Empire.

How do you pronounce Kyra?

It is said KY-ruh, with two syllables.

Is Kyra the same as Kira?

Kyra and Kira are variants of the same name; both are equally valid and share the same roots.

Is Kyra a popular name?

Kyra has been a popular name in the U.S. since the 1990s and remains in regular use.