Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kieran
BoyIrish· “little dark one”
- Meaning
- little dark one
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KEER-uhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #389
- US babies 2025
- 817
- Best rank
- #389 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Kieran
Kieran is an Irish name that means “little dark one”.
Kieran is an anglicized form of the Irish Ciarán, from ciar, "dark" or "black", with a diminutive ending, so it means "little dark one", probably referring to dark hair. Several early Irish saints bore the name, most notably Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, who founded one of Ireland's great monasteries in the sixth century, and Saint Ciarán of Saigir. The name spread beyond Ireland in the twentieth century and is now used across Britain, North America and Australia. It sounds gentle and friendly. Ciarán is the Irish spelling, and Keiran and Kieron are other variants.
Popularity over time
Kieran first appears in US Social Security records in 1918. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 34 different years, starting in 1992. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #389, and its highest count, 817 babies. Use has grown 46% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,784 in 1950, #1,457 in 1980, #528 in 2000, #540 in 2010, and #389 in 2025. Of the 17,613 US boys named Kieran since records began, 30% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 4,412 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Elio, Raphael, Marcelo, Hugo, and Kian.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kieran ranked highest in South Dakota, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #211 | 7 |
| Connecticut | #216 | 16 |
| Pennsylvania | #219 | 58 |
| Idaho | #226 | 12 |
| Massachusetts | #227 | 27 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 94% of US babies named Kieran over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Kieran is usually pronounced KEER-uhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with K and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Kieran
A few middle names that flow with Kieran: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kieran
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Lists that include Kieran
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kieran mean?
Kieran is an Irish name that means “little dark one”.
What is the origin of the name Kieran?
Kieran has Irish roots. Kieran is an anglicized form of the Irish Ciarán, from ciar, "dark" or "black", with a diminutive ending, so it means "little dark one", probably referring to dark hair.
Is Kieran a popular name?
Yes. Kieran ranked #389 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kieran a boy or girl name?
Kieran is mainly a boy's name. About 94% of US babies named Kieran over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Kieran?
Kieran is usually pronounced KEER-uhn. 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