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Home › Baby Names Directory › Cieran

Cieran

♂ Boy

Pronounced KEER-uhn /ˈkiːr.ən/Medium

Meaning: A spelling of the Irish Ciaran, from 'ciar' ('dark; black') with a diminutive, meaning 'little dark one' (referring to dark hair). Borne by early Irish saints.Medium

In 30 seconds: A soft Irish name: Cieran means 'little dark one' — a spelling of Ciaran (said 'KEER-uhn').
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningA spelling of the Irish Ciaran, from 'ciar' ('dark; black') with a diminutive, meaning 'little dark one' (referring to dark hair). Borne by early Irish saints.
U.S. rank (2024)#12639 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 25

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202020142024

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

Cieran is a spelling of the Irish Ciaran, from 'ciar' ('dark') with a diminutive ending, meaning 'little dark one'. It honors several early Irish saints, including Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, and carries a gentle Celtic heritage (said 'KEER-uhn').

In the U.S. it appears rarely. Soft, Celtic, and heritage-rich.

Did you know? Cieran is a spelling of the Irish Ciaran, 'little dark one' (for dark hair) — a name carried by early Irish saints (said 'KEER-uhn').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Cieran — Spelling of Irish Ciaran, 'little dark one'

Variations

CiaranKieranKeiran

Nicknames

CierKier

Famous Bearers

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If you like Cieran…

Kieran— the common spelling of Cieran
Cillian— a like soft Irish saint's name
Declan— a like Celtic boy's pick
Lorcan— a like Irish '-an' choice

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cieran mean?

Cieran is a spelling of the Irish Ciaran, meaning 'little dark one'.

How do you pronounce Cieran?

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

Is Cieran a boy or girl name?

Cieran is a boy's name.

How popular is Cieran?

Cieran is a rare spelling in the U.S., against the more common Kieran.

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