Kieran Unisex
Origin(s)
Irish; Gaelic
Meaning
Irish: 'little dark one'; Gaelic: 'dark-haired'
Historical & Cultural Background
Kieran is derived from the Irish name Ciarán, which has been used since the early medieval period. It is often associated with Saint Ciarán, one of the twelve apostles of Ireland. The name has been popular in Ireland and among Irish communities worldwide. It reflects a common naming tradition in Gaelic culture that often emphasizes physical characteristics.
Trend Summary
Kieran has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Kierin
- Kiernan
International Variants
- Ciarán (Irish)
- Kieran (English)
- Kier (Scandinavian)
Famous people named Kieran
Kieran Culkin is an American actor known for his roles in films such as 'Home Alone' and the HBO series 'Succession'.
Kieran Gibbs is a former professional footballer who played for Arsenal and the England national team.
Kieran Trippier is an English professional footballer who plays for Newcastle United and the England national team.
Kieran Read is a former New Zealand rugby player who captained the national team and played for the Crusaders.
Fictional characters named Kieran
Kieran is a character in the video game series 'The Legend of Zelda', known for his role in various quests.
Kieran is a character in the book series 'The Darkest Minds' by Alexandra Bracken, where he plays a significant role in the story.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kieran was first seen in the United States in 1918. Kieran has ranked as high as #722 nationally which occurred in 2024 and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. In the past 5 years the name Kieran has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Kieran (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 79 | |
| CA | 62 | |
| PA | 44 | |
| TX | 34 | |
| VA | 31 | |
| MA | 29 | |
| IL | 27 | |
| NC | 27 | |
| WA | 24 | |
| MN | 22 | |
| FL | 20 | |
| MI | 18 | |
| MD | 16 | |
| GA | 15 | |
| TN | 14 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1918 | 8 |
| 1921 | 8 |
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1926 | 7 |
| 1928 | 5 |
| 1929 | 8 |
| 1931 | 9 |
| 1932 | 5 |
| 1934 | 9 |
| 1935 | 5 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1938 | 8 |
| 1939 | 7 |
| 1940 | 7 |
| 1941 | 5 |
| 1942 | 7 |
| 1944 | 10 |
| 1945 | 5 |
| 1946 | 15 |
| 1947 | 12 |
| 1948 | 11 |
| 1949 | 9 |
| 1950 | 18 |
| 1951 | 12 |
| 1952 | 18 |
| 1953 | 20 |
| 1954 | 12 |
| 1955 | 26 |
| 1956 | 22 |
| 1957 | 28 |
| 1958 | 34 |
| 1959 | 32 |
| 1960 | 37 |
| 1961 | 39 |
| 1962 | 33 |
| 1963 | 33 |
| 1964 | 39 |
| 1965 | 46 |
| 1966 | 39 |
| 1967 | 42 |
| 1968 | 35 |
| 1969 | 31 |
| 1970 | 44 |
| 1971 | 53 |
| 1972 | 27 |
| 1973 | 39 |
| 1974 | 36 |
| 1975 | 42 |
| 1976 | 35 |
| 1977 | 43 |
| 1978 | 47 |
| 1979 | 50 |
| 1980 | 43 |
| 1981 | 50 |
| 1982 | 59 |
| 1983 | 49 |
| 1984 | 74 |
| 1985 | 65 |
| 1986 | 62 |
| 1987 | 60 |
| 1988 | 64 |
| 1989 | 84 |
| 1990 | 109 |
| 1991 | 105 |
| 1992 | 125 |
| 1993 | 192 |
| 1994 | 233 |
| 1995 | 265 |
| 1996 | 278 |
| 1997 | 259 |
| 1998 | 292 |
| 1999 | 319 |
| 2000 | 416 |
| 2001 | 410 |
| 2002 | 399 |
| 2003 | 429 |
| 2004 | 425 |
| 2005 | 408 |
| 2006 | 445 |
| 2007 | 450 |
| 2008 | 502 |
| 2009 | 528 |
| 2010 | 469 |
| 2011 | 562 |
| 2012 | 470 |
| 2013 | 471 |
| 2014 | 483 |
| 2015 | 560 |
| 2016 | 539 |
| 2017 | 567 |
| 2018 | 577 |
| 2019 | 581 |
| 2020 | 556 |
| 2021 | 598 |
| 2022 | 620 |
| 2023 | 636 |
| 2024 | 713 |