Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ciara
GirlIrish· “dark”
- Meaning
- dark
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- see-EHR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,408
- US babies 2025
- 155
- Best rank
- #149 (2005)
- Peak year
- 2005
Meaning and origin of Ciara
Ciara is an Irish name that means “dark”.
Ciara is an Irish name derived from ciar, "dark" or "black", probably describing dark hair, and it is the feminine counterpart of Ciarán. Saint Ciara was a seventh-century Irish abbess who founded a religious community in County Tipperary. In Ireland the name is pronounced KEER-uh, but in the United States it is often said see-EHR-uh, a pronunciation made familiar by the R&B singer Ciara. Both are correct in their own settings, so parents may want to decide which they prefer before introducing it. Kiara, Keira and Kiera are related spellings. The name feels lyrical and carries a clear Irish identity.
Popularity over time
Ciara first appears in US Social Security records in 1972. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 35 different years, starting in 1982. Its best national rank was #149 in 2005, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,325 babies. In 2025, 155 babies were named Ciara, and it ranked #1,408 nationally. That is 58% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,330 in 1980, #282 in 2000, #439 in 2010, and #1,408 in 2025. Of the 34,876 US girls named Ciara since records began, 37% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 12,046 babies. Since 2010, 5,085 more have been named Ciara.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jazmin, Paris, Ashlyn, Mariana, and Kyla.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ciara ranked highest in Illinois, Florida, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #816 | 11 |
| Florida | #878 | 18 |
| Michigan | #878 | 8 |
| Massachusetts | #907 | 5 |
| Tennessee | #1011 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ciara is usually pronounced see-EHR-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Ciara
A few middle names that flow with Ciara: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ciara
Similar names
Maura Girl
MAW-ruh
“uncertain; Irish name or dark” · Irish
#1,640
Kiera Girl
KEER-uh
“dark” · Irish
#1,097
Cara Girl
KAHR-uh
“friend; dear” · Irish
#1,326
Chiara Girl
KYAHR-uh
“bright, clear” · Italian
#1,066
Dara Girl
DAR-uh
“several origins; oak (Irish)” · Irish
#1,129
Siara Girl
see-AIR-uh
“variant of Ciara, "dark"” · Irish
#2,406
Nora Girl
NOR-uh
“honor; short form of Eleanor or Honora” · Irish
#20
Keira Girl
KEER-uh
“little dark one (from Ciara)” · Irish
#622
Kiara Girl
kee-AR-uh
“bright, clear; or dark” · Italian
#229
Moira Girl
MOY-ruh
“Irish form of Mary; also Greek fate” · Irish
#2,047
Clara Girl
KLEHR-uh
“bright, clear” · Latin
#63
Kara Girl
KEHR-uh
“dear, beloved” · Latin
#1,075
Lists that include Ciara
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ciara mean?
Ciara is an Irish name that means “dark”.
What is the origin of the name Ciara?
Ciara has Irish roots. Ciara is an Irish name derived from ciar, "dark" or "black", probably describing dark hair, and it is the feminine counterpart of Ciarán.
Is Ciara a popular name?
Not especially. Ciara ranked #1,408 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ciara a boy or girl name?
Ciara is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ciara?
Ciara is usually pronounced see-EHR-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings