Keira

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEER-ah /ˈkɪər.ə/High

Meaning: Anglicised feminine form of Ciara (Irish) or Ceilidh-influenced form, from Irish Gaelic ciar meaning 'dark' or 'black,' referring to dark hair or complexion; feminine equivalent of KieranHigh

In 30 seconds: Keira is the anglicised form of the Irish Ciara — 'little dark one' — the feminine twin to Kieran. Sleek, Celtic, and graceful, it gained global recognition through Keira Knightley.

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Origin HighIrish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic

MeaningAnglicised feminine form of Ciara (Irish) or Ceilidh-influenced form, from Irish Gaelic ciar meaning 'dark' or 'black,' referring to dark hair or complexion; feminine equivalent of Kieran

U.S. rank (2025)#622 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births469 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 33,831

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Keira is an anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic Ciara (or Ceira), the feminine of Ciarán, from ciar ('dark,' 'black'). The name was given to dark-complexioned or dark-haired children in medieval Ireland. Saint Ciara of Kilkeary founded a monastic community in the 6th century, giving the name early religious significance.

Keira gained international recognition through actress Keira Knightley (born 1985), whose fame in films like Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Pride and Prejudice (2005) pushed the name into the global top charts. In the United States, Keira has ranked in the top 200 girls' names since the mid-2000s.

Did you know? Saint Ciara of Kilkeary (6th century) was one of Ireland's earliest female monastic founders — predating the more famous Saint Ciaran — giving the feminine form of this dark-haired name a saintly heritage that stretches back to the dawn of Irish Christianity.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Keira — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CiaraKiraKyraKeira

Nicknames

Kei

Famous Bearers

★Keira Knightley (1985–present)
British actress known for Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, and the Pirates of the Caribbean series.

If you like Keira…

Ciara— the Irish Gaelic original spelling of the same name with the same meaning

Kyra— similarly structured two-syllable girls' name with the same dark or noble meaning

Niamh— Irish Gaelic girls' name with the same mythological Celtic heritage

Aoife— Irish Gaelic girls' name with the same ancient, flowing Celtic character

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Keira mean?

Keira is an anglicised form of Irish Gaelic Ciara, meaning 'dark one' or 'little dark one,' from ciar meaning 'dark' or 'black.'

How do you pronounce Keira?

It is said KEER-ah — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Keira a boy or girl name?

Keira is exclusively a girls' name; the masculine form is Kieran.

How popular is Keira?

Keira ranks in the U.S. top 200 girls' names and has been popular since the rise to fame of actress Keira Knightley in the early 2000s.