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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ciaran

Ciaran

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEER-awn /ˈkiːr.ɑːn/Medium

Meaning: From the Irish Ciaran, a diminutive of 'ciar' ('dark, black'), so 'little dark one' — borne by several early Irish saints, notably St Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. It is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, we flag the strong cross-sex lean.Medium

In 30 seconds: A classic Irish name: Ciaran means 'little dark one' (said 'KEER-awn'). It is overwhelmingly a boy's name — we flag the lean.
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningFrom the Irish Ciaran, a diminutive of 'ciar' ('dark, black'), so 'little dark one' — borne by several early Irish saints, notably St Ciaran of Clonmacnoise. It is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, we flag the strong cross-sex lean.
U.S. rank (2008)#15812 ↗ Rising
2008 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1971
Total births (all-time)≈ 30

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199719712008

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ciaran is a venerable Irish name from 'ciar' ('dark'), meaning 'little dark one,' long carried by saints and scholars. It is overwhelmingly a boy's name in Ireland and beyond; used here for a girl, we flag the strong cross-sex lean plainly. It reads classic, Celtic, and rooted (said 'KEER-awn').

For girls it is very rare, against far heavier boys' use. Rare for girls, classic, and Irish.

Did you know? Ciaran means 'little dark one' and belongs to early Irish saints like Ciaran of Clonmacnoise; it is overwhelmingly a boys' name, which we flag plainly (said 'KEER-awn').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Ciaran — Irish 'little dark one'; St Ciaran; boy-leaning, cross-sex flagged

Variations

CiaránKieranKeiran

Nicknames

CiarKee

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ciaran…

Kieran— the common spelling of the same name
Ciara— the usual girls' counterpart in sound
Declan— a like classic Irish choice
Callan— shares Ciaran's Irish roots
Caelan— another Irish name

Explore names like Ciaran

By themeclassicirishcross-sexunisex-lean-boy

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ciaran mean?

Ciaran is Irish for 'little dark one,' from 'ciar' ('dark'); it is borne by early Irish saints.

How do you pronounce Ciaran?

It's said KEER-awn /ˈkiːr.ɑːn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ciaran a boy or girl name?

Ciaran is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, we flag the strong cross-sex lean.

How popular is Ciaran?

Ciaran is very rare for girls in the U.S. and far more common for boys.

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