Kiernan Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationKEER-nan / /ˈkɪər.nən/Irish; Gaelic
Meaning
Irish: 'descendant of Ciarán'; Gaelic: 'little dark one'
Historical & Cultural Background
Kiernan is derived from the Irish surname O'Ciardha, which means 'descendant of Ciardha'. The name Ciardha is associated with the Gaelic word 'ciar', meaning 'dark' or 'black'. It has been used as both a first name and a surname in Ireland. The name has gained popularity in various English-speaking countries over the years.
Trend Summary
Kiernan has seen a gradual increase in popularity in the United States over the past few decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Kieran
- Kiernan
International Variants
- Ciarán (Irish)
- Kieran (Irish)
Famous people named Kiernan
Kiernan Shipka is an American actress known for her role in the television series 'Mad Men'.
Kiernan O'Connor is an Irish politician who served in local government.
Kiernan McGowan is a notable Irish rugby player recognized for his contributions to the sport.
Kiernan O'Leary is a prominent Irish author known for his historical novels.
Fictional characters named Kiernan
Kiernan is a character in the television series 'The Good Place', known for his philosophical insights.
Kiernan is a character in the video game 'Mass Effect', serving as a skilled engineer.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kiernan was first seen in the United States in 1957. Kiernan has ranked as high as #1323 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in New York, California, Massachusetts, Florida, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Kiernan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Kiernan (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 5 | |
| MA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1970 | 5 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1981 | 7 |
| 1982 | 11 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1988 | 12 |
| 1989 | 14 |
| 1990 | 16 |
| 1991 | 20 |
| 1992 | 21 |
| 1993 | 32 |
| 1994 | 38 |
| 1995 | 34 |
| 1996 | 50 |
| 1997 | 40 |
| 1998 | 39 |
| 1999 | 48 |
| 2000 | 68 |
| 2001 | 60 |
| 2002 | 67 |
| 2003 | 69 |
| 2004 | 56 |
| 2005 | 67 |
| 2006 | 49 |
| 2007 | 66 |
| 2008 | 77 |
| 2009 | 66 |
| 2010 | 74 |
| 2011 | 60 |
| 2012 | 41 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| 2016 | 32 |
| 2017 | 54 |
| 2018 | 43 |
| 2019 | 29 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 41 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 39 |