Kira Girl

Popularity: #355 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KEE-rah //ˈkiːrə//

Origin: Japanese; Russian; Irish

Meaning: Japanese: 'glitter' or 'shine'; Russian: 'beloved'; Irish: 'little dark one'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Kira has multiple linguistic roots and meanings, contributing to its rich etymological background. One prominent origin is from the Russian name "Kira," which is derived from the Greek name "Kyra," meaning "lady" or "mistress." The Greek "Kyra" itself is a feminine form of "Kyros," which translates to "lord" or "master." This name made its way into various cultures, including Slavic languages, where it has been adopted and adapted over time.

In Japanese, Kira can mean "shining" or "glittering," depending on the kanji used, showcasing the name's diverse interpretations across different languages and cultures. Historically, the name Kira has been associated with notable figures and events.

In the context of Russian history, Kira was borne by several saints, including Saint Kira of Alexandria, who is celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The name gained further recognition through its use in literature and popular culture, particularly in the 20th century, although specific historical milestones are less documented compared to other names.

The name's presence in various cultures has allowed it to transcend geographical boundaries, appearing in different forms and variations. Culturally, Kira resonates with themes of strength and femininity, often symbolizing leadership and grace.

In many traditions, names carry significant weight, and Kira's meanings in both Greek and Japanese contexts have contributed to its enduring appeal. The name's association with nobility and light has made it a favored choice in various narratives and artistic expressions.

While diminutive forms like Kiki or Ki may arise in informal contexts, the name Kira stands strong in its own right, embodying a blend of historical depth and cultural significance.

Famous people named Kira

In this section, you will find notable people named Kira. 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 Kira who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Kira 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.

Kira Kosarin is an actress and singer best known for The Thundermans, The Loud House, and her music career.

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

Kira Buckland is a voice actress best known for her roles in video games such as Danganronpa, and anime series like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Fictional characters named Kira

The following list of fictional characters named Kira 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.

Kira Yamato is a fictional character from the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. He is the main protagonist who pilots the mobile suit Freedom Gundam and navigates the complexities of war and personal relationships.

Kira Nerys is a fictional character from the TV series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She is a Bajoran freedom fighter and later the station's first officer, known for her strong leadership and dedication to her people.

Sibling suggestions

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

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kira. 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.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kira was first seen in the United States in 1938.

Kira has ranked as high as #481 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Kira 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 Kira 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 Kira.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 801 0 801
2024 689 0 689
2023 721 0 721
2022 801 0 801
2021 814 0 814
2020 808 0 808
2019 818 0 818
2018 829 0 829
2017 821 0 821
2016 881 0 881
2015 910 0 910
2014 950 0 950
2013 902 0 902
2012 886 0 886
2011 946 0 946
2010 1,036 0 1,036
2009 1,117 0 1,117
2008 1,370 0 1,370
2007 1,266 0 1,266
2006 1,362 0 1,362
2005 1,396 5 1,391
2004 1,190 6 1,184
2003 1,084 0 1,084
2002 1,126 0 1,126
2001 1,093 0 1,093
2000 1,092 0 1,092
1999 1,106 0 1,106
1998 1,136 0 1,136
1997 892 0 892
1996 725 0 725
1995 682 0 682
1994 676 0 676
1993 656 0 656
1992 586 0 586
1991 531 0 531
1990 449 0 449
1989 476 0 476
1988 559 0 559
1987 530 0 530
1986 492 0 492
1985 596 5 591
1984 771 5 766
1983 555 0 555
1982 897 6 891
1981 393 0 393
1980 209 0 209
1979 152 0 152
1978 134 0 134
1977 144 0 144
1976 146 0 146
1975 258 0 258
1974 193 0 193
1973 123 0 123
1972 104 0 104
1971 130 0 130
1970 121 0 121
1969 119 0 119
1968 89 0 89
1967 81 0 81
1966 85 0 85
1965 58 0 58
1964 63 0 63
1963 44 0 44
1962 33 0 33
1961 28 0 28
1960 27 0 27
1959 13 0 13
1958 22 0 22
1957 12 0 12
1956 17 0 17
1955 6 0 6
1954 7 0 7
1952 11 0 11
1948 5 0 5
1938 5 0 5

Top States for Kira (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 125
19%
NY 52
8%
TX 44
7%
PA 40
6%
WA 33
5%
FL 32
5%
NJ 24
4%
IL 22
3%
VA 21
3%
MN 17
3%
OH 17
3%
GA 16
2%
NC 16
2%
CO 16
2%
MA 16
2%
MO 15
2%
MD 14
2%
OR 14
2%
MI 13
2%
WI 12
2%
IN 12
2%
HI 11
2%
TN 11
2%
UT 10
2%
AZ 9
1%
CT 7
1%
NH 6
1%
KS 6
1%
SC 5
1%
MT 5
1%
KY 5
1%