Keira Girl

Popularity: #522 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KEER-uh //ˈkɪərə//

Origin: Irish; Gaelic

Meaning: Irish: dark; Gaelic: little dark one

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Keira has its roots in the Irish name Ciara, which is derived from the Gaelic word "ciar," meaning "dark" or "black." This etymological lineage traces back to the early medieval period in Ireland, where the name was commonly associated with the color of hair or complexion. The name Ciara has been used since at least the 7th century, notably borne by Saint Ciara, a revered figure in Irish Christianity who lived during that time.

Her legacy contributed to the name's enduring presence in Irish culture and its eventual adaptation into various forms. As the name traveled through linguistic and cultural transformations, it evolved into different variants across regions.

The anglicized form "Keira" emerged in the 20th century, particularly gaining traction in English-speaking countries. This adaptation reflects a broader trend of embracing Irish names in the Anglophone world, especially during the late 20th century when interest in Celtic heritage surged.

The name Keira has also been popularized through various cultural references, including literature and film, which have contributed to its recognition. Culturally, the name Keira resonates with themes of strength and beauty, often associated with figures in folklore and mythology.

The dark connotation of its original meaning has been interpreted in various ways, symbolizing depth and mystery. Additionally, the name has a diminutive form, Kiki, which has been used affectionately in some contexts.

Overall, Keira's historical and cultural significance is rooted in its Irish origins and the enduring appeal of its meanings, reflecting a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural identity.

Famous people named Keira

In this section, you will find notable people named Keira. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Keira who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Keira who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Keira Knightley is an actress best known for Pirates of the Caribbean, Atonement, and Pride & Prejudice.

Keira Walsh is a footballer best known for playing with Manchester City and the England national team.

Fictional characters named Keira

The following list of fictional characters named Keira is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Keira is a fictional character from the video game series Final Fantasy. She is a prominent character in Final Fantasy XIV, known for her role in the game's expansive narrative and world-building.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Keira, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

KylieKaraKiraKeelyKendallKaitlyn

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Keira. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

CieraKiraKyraTieraMiraLeiraSierraZara

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Keira was first seen in the United States in 1962.

Keira has ranked as high as #248 nationally, which occurred in 2006, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

In the past 5 years the name Keira has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Keira is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Keira was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Keira.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 469 0 469
2024 496 0 496
2023 524 0 524
2022 577 0 577
2021 662 0 662
2020 663 0 663
2019 888 0 888
2018 867 0 867
2017 990 0 990
2016 1,038 0 1,038
2015 1,312 0 1,312
2014 1,469 0 1,469
2013 1,572 0 1,572
2012 1,652 0 1,652
2011 1,789 0 1,789
2010 1,863 0 1,863
2009 2,267 7 2,260
2008 2,736 0 2,736
2007 2,677 0 2,677
2006 3,022 0 3,022
2005 1,468 0 1,468
2004 1,244 0 1,244
2003 433 0 433
2002 238 0 238
2001 216 0 216
2000 226 0 226
1999 196 0 196
1998 175 0 175
1997 164 0 164
1996 129 0 129
1995 107 0 107
1994 133 0 133
1993 123 0 123
1992 142 0 142
1991 136 0 136
1990 85 0 85
1989 91 0 91
1988 75 0 75
1987 63 0 63
1986 70 0 70
1985 90 0 90
1984 59 0 59
1983 48 0 48
1982 77 0 77
1981 32 0 32
1980 32 0 32
1979 32 0 32
1978 27 0 27
1977 34 0 34
1976 42 0 42
1975 68 0 68
1974 53 0 53
1973 25 0 25
1972 27 0 27
1971 27 0 27
1970 24 0 24
1969 28 0 28
1968 14 0 14
1967 9 0 9
1966 12 0 12
1965 11 0 11
1964 11 0 11
1963 9 0 9
1962 5 0 5

Top States for Keira (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 84
19%
NY 48
11%
PA 28
6%
NJ 24
5%
TX 22
5%
FL 22
5%
IL 20
4%
MA 20
4%
OH 18
4%
NC 15
3%
WI 15
3%
WA 13
3%
AZ 12
3%
VA 11
2%
CO 9
2%
IN 8
2%
MI 8
2%
CT 8
2%
GA 7
2%
MN 7
2%
OR 7
2%
NH 7
2%
HI 6
1%
UT 6
1%
SC 6
1%
IA 5
1%
KS 5
1%
MD 5
1%