Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Keiran
BoyIrish· “variant of Kieran; little dark one”
- Meaning
- variant of Kieran; little dark one
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KEER-un
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,727
- US babies 2025
- 16
- Best rank
- #2,120 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2011
Meaning and origin of Keiran
Keiran is an Irish name that means “variant of Kieran; little dark one”.
Keiran is a variant of Kieran, an anglicized form of Irish Ciarán, little dark one, from ciar, dark, with a diminutive ending. Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise was a sixth-century Irish saint who founded one of the most important monasteries in early medieval Ireland, and another Saint Ciarán, of Saighir, is counted among the early saints of Ireland. The Keiran spelling reverses the i and e, which some families find easier. It is said KEER-un. Kieran, Kieron and Ciaran are other spellings. Ciara and Keira come from the same root.
Popularity over time
Keiran first appears in US Social Security records in 1989. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,120 in 2011, the same year it reached its highest count of 63 babies. In 2025, 16 babies were named Keiran, and it ranked #5,727 nationally. That is 63% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,298 in 2000, #2,452 in 2010, and #5,727 in 2025. Of the 1,043 US boys named Keiran since records began, 41% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 359 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Roshan, Ezekial, Cortland, Calin, and Alekzander.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 88% of US babies named Keiran over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Keiran is usually pronounced KEER-un, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with K and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Keiran
A few middle names that flow with Keiran: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Keiran
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Lists that include Keiran
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Keiran mean?
Keiran is an Irish name that means “variant of Kieran; little dark one”.
What is the origin of the name Keiran?
Keiran has Irish roots. Keiran is a variant of Kieran, an anglicized form of Irish Ciarán, little dark one, from ciar, dark, with a diminutive ending.
Is Keiran a popular name?
Not especially. Keiran ranked #5,727 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Keiran a boy or girl name?
Keiran is mainly a boy's name. About 88% of US babies named Keiran over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Keiran?
Keiran is usually pronounced KEER-un. 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