| Keira | Ciara | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | dark, black-haired | dark, black-haired |
| Origin | irish | irish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KEER-ah | KEER-ah |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 1972 |
| Peak year | 2006 (3,022) | 2005 (2,325) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 155 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Keira | Ciara |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 3,391 | 1,089 |
| 2010s | 13,440 | 3,996 |
| 2000s | 14,520 | 12,046 |
| 1990s | 1,390 | 13,068 |
| 1980s | 637 | 4,445 |
| 1970s | 359 | 232 |
| 1960s | 99 | 0 |
Anglicized spelling of the Irish Ciara, derived from Old Irish 'ciar' meaning 'black, dark'. Same root as Ciaran/Kieran; refers to dark hair or complexion.
Feminine form of the Irish name Ciar/Ciaran, from Old Irish 'ciar' meaning 'black, dark'. Traditionally understood as 'dark-haired' or 'dark complexioned' rather than anything sinister.
Ciara is more popular than Keira today: about 155 US babies were given the name Ciara in 2025, compared with 0 named Keira.
Keira means dark, black-haired (irish origin), while Ciara means dark, black-haired (irish origin).
In US records, Keira first appears in 0 and Ciara in 1972, so Keira has the longer recorded history.