Kieran

What does the baby name Kieran mean? Learn about what Kieran means, its history & origin, popularity in our random name database, pronunciation, similar names, nicknames & spelling variations.

Kieran - Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

Spelling of Kieran: K-I-E-R-A-N, is a 6-letter male given name.
Pronunciation of Kieran: KEER-awn; KEER ahn
Meaning of Kieran: Little and dark, dark, small dark one.
Origin of Kieran: The name 'Kieran' has its origins in Ireland. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Ciarán, which is a diminutive form of Ciar, meaning 'dark' or 'black'. The name is believed to have originated from the ancient Celtic word 'ciar', which referred to someone with dark hair or complexion.; Celtic Names; Gaelic Names; Irish Names
Similar Names, Nicknames, & Spelling Variations of Kieran: Ceiran; Ceiren; Ciaran; Ciaren; Keiron; Kernan; Kieron
Popularity of Kieran: The name 'Kieran' has gained popularity over the years, both in Ireland and other English-speaking countries. In Ireland, it has been consistently ranked among the top 100 names for boys since the late 20th century. In other English-speaking countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, it has also experienced moderate popularity.; Kieran currently has 324 likes, and is in the top 2% of liked boy's names. The name Raymond is slightly more popular than Kieran.

Etymology of Kieran

As mentioned earlier, the name 'Kieran' is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Ciarán. The root word 'ciar' denotes darkness or blackness and is often associated with someone with dark hair or complexion. The suffix '-án' is a diminutive form, indicating a small or endearing version of the name. Therefore, 'Kieran' can be interpreted as meaning 'little dark one' or 'little black-haired one'.

Cultural Significance of Kieran

In Irish culture, names hold significant meaning and are often chosen to honor family members or to reflect cultural heritage. The name 'Kieran' is deeply rooted in Irish history and mythology. It is associated with the legendary figure Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, an early Irish saint who was known for his wisdom and piety.