Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kiara
GirlItalian, Irish· “bright, clear; or dark”
- Meaning
- bright, clear; or dark (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Italian, Irish
- Pronunciation
- kee-AR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #229
- US babies 2025
- 1,335
- Best rank
- #78 (1999)
- Peak year
- 1999
Meaning and origin of Kiara
Kiara is often said to mean “bright, clear; or dark”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Italian and Irish roots.
Kiara has more than one possible source. It can be read as a spelling of the Italian Chiara, meaning "clear" or "bright," the name of Saint Clare of Assisi, or as a form of the Irish Ciara, from ciar, meaning "dark." Because the two sources give opposite meanings, it is fair to say that the origin depends on the family's intention. Kiara became more familiar in the United States through the animated film The Lion King II, where Kiara is Simba's daughter. It has a bright, lilting sound that works across many cultures, with Kiki as a playful nickname.
Popularity over time
Kiara first appears in US Social Security records in 1968. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 38 different years, starting in 1988. Its best national rank was #78 in 1999, the same year it reached its highest count of 4,024 babies. In 2025, 1,335 babies were named Kiara, and it ranked #229 nationally. That is 63% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,828 in 1980, #130 in 2000, #326 in 2010, and #229 in 2025. Of the 57,068 US girls named Kiara since records began, 33% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 17,821 babies. Since 2010, 16,672 more have been named Kiara.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Mikayla, Autumn, Cassidy, Caroline, and Caitlyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kiara ranked highest in Wyoming, Hawaii, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | #92 | 5 |
| Hawaii | #106 | 8 |
| New Jersey | #124 | 63 |
| Maryland | #133 | 35 |
| Arizona | #138 | 47 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kiara is usually pronounced kee-AR-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Kiara
A few middle names that flow with Kiara: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kiara
Similar names
Cara Girl
KAHR-uh
“friend; dear” · Irish
#1,326
Keira Girl
KEER-uh
“little dark one (from Ciara)” · Irish
#622
Tara Girl
TAIR-uh
“hill; also star” · Irish
#847
Laura Girl
LOR-uh
“laurel” · Latin
#379
Kara Girl
KEHR-uh
“dear, beloved” · Latin
#1,075
Kiera Girl
KEER-uh
“dark” · Irish
#1,097
Ciara Girl
see-EHR-uh
“dark” · Irish
#1,408
Dara Girl
DAR-uh
“several origins; oak (Irish)” · Irish
#1,129
Nora Girl
NOR-uh
“honor; short form of Eleanor or Honora” · Irish
#20
Cora Girl
KAW-ruh
“maiden” · Greek
#113
Sara Girl
SEH-ruh
“princess” · Hebrew
#198
Kira Girl
KEER-uh
“lady; feminine of Kyros” · Russian
#385
Lists that include Kiara
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kiara mean?
Kiara is often said to mean “bright, clear; or dark”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Italian and Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Kiara?
Kiara has Italian and Irish roots. Kiara has more than one possible source.
Is Kiara a popular name?
Yes. Kiara ranked #229 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kiara a boy or girl name?
Kiara is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kiara?
Kiara is usually pronounced kee-AR-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