Declining since 2007, #621 for girls today.
Popularity of Keira since 1962
Babies named Keira per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 99 |
| 1970s | 359 |
| 1980s | 637 |
| 1990s | 1,390 |
| 2000s | 14,520 |
| 2010s | 13,440 |
| 2020s | 3,391 |
Meaning & origin
Keira first appeared in U.S. records in 1962 but gained traction in the 1990s, peaking at its highest rank in 2006. Since 2007, its popularity has been declining, though it remains a recognizable choice. In 2025, it ranked 621st, with about 1 in 3,427 girls receiving the name. The states with the highest usage include Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington. Keira is an anglicized spelling of the Irish Ciarán, carrying the meaning 'little dark one'. Its rise in the 2000s likely benefited from the fame of actress Keira Knightley, though the name long predates her career.
Keira is the feminine form of the Irish name Ciaran, derived from the Gaelic word 'ciar' meaning 'dark' or 'black'. It was initially used in Ireland and became popular in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century, often as an alternative to Kiera or Kira.
Where Keira is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Keira” around the world
Where Keira lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
New Zealand
16
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kiki, Kez
Sibling names for Keira
Names that share Keira's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ava, Mia, Isla, Emma, Lily, Alanah, Allana, Anela, Bria, Cailin, Danika, Davina, Leigha, Malia, Rhianna, Shavon, Taelynn, Taryn, Aislynn, Alona, Aubriana, Corrin, Daja, Diedra, Eriana, Falon, Kaeli, Kalea, Kamara, Keaira, Kelis, Laikyn, Lanna, Liyah, Lynae, Neela, Neena, Nissa, Rozlyn, Ryanna, Ryanne, Shealyn, Shenna, Teya, Zandra, Ailana, Ailin, Aleina, Allanah, Cadance, Cadee, Ceaira, Dareen, Dearra, Erionna, Hayla, Jaelle, Jenea, Kaleen, Kalisa, Karessa, Karrah, Kashia, Kedra, Keela, Kennia, Kevina, Keyna, Kitzia, Korrina, Kyleen, Lanea, Lareen, Leeza, Leira, Lezly, Maleia, Mayleen, Mikenna, Monay, Nashla, Nikayla, Queena, Reann, Reeva, Riane, Rianne, Senna, Shaleen, Sheana, Sherina, Shina, Synia, Tanea, Teala, Teana, Tearra, Teonna, Teria, Terrah, Tesia, Tira, Trianna, Tyrah, Zeena, Zykeria, Alera, Aleria, Ashlinn, Aubriel, Aylene, Breena, Calyssa, Caryssa, Chianne, Corryn, Dalexa, Daneka, Eilee, Ellanie, Erinne, Farryn, Finleigh, Hailei, Halea, Jakeira, Jakera, Kailana, Kelina, Kenitra, Keonia, Kerina, Kevia, Kiela, Kieryn, Kyerra, Kylea, Leaira, Lekia, Lenae, Lerin, Letia, Mariha, Mckinna, Meeghan, Melyna, Neeka, Quana, Rhyanna, Satara, Shevon, Syann, Syanna, Takera, Tamu, Teka, Teyla, Teyona, Trysta, Xianna, Arionne, Kalanie, Seara, Abrina, Adalea, Aileena, Airyn, Allahna, Alsha, Amyria, Analei, Anecia, Ayslin, Branna, Breella, Breigh, Briele, Briena, Bryella, Cambre, Cheyna, Cierah, Daylah, Deveney, Ellani, Falan, Fallan, Ferrin, Halaina, Heylin, Jannae, Jarica, Kaisy, Kearie, Kebrina, Keidra, Kenora, Kielee, Leilene, Maileen, Malan, Marnae, Meili, Neka, Nikeria, Nikyah, Noralynn, Oneka, Quenna, Quiera, Reannah, Reha, Rheanne, Seyla, Shanira, Syleena, Tamerra, Taneil, Teeghan, Tenea, Tianne, Tiyona, Tyrina, Unika
Brothers: Liam, Noah, Ethan, Owen, Finn, Broderick, Chason, Daren, Dedrick, Denzel, Donavon, Donovan, Jaren, Jaylon, Kalvin, Kellan, Kevon, Nevin, Tavian, Adair, Caelan, Calen, Cavin, Daymon, Deklan, Dezmond, Jerron, Kervin, Kolin, Nyle, Ryon, Shilo, Talan, Tremaine, Tyrek, Adian, Bradan, Cailen, Chevon, Cordel, Corwyn, Curran, Daelin, Dareon, Deagan, Deveon, Dorrian, Galvin, Garron, Geordan, Jevan, Jevin, Jeyson, Kasin, Keigan, Kemon, Kendon, Keron, Kile, Miciah, Mikai, Obrian, Tallen, Tarin, Telvin, Teron, Torrian, Torrin, Trevan, Trevian, Tynan, Adain, Brenon, Brevan, Bricen, Byrant, Caellum, Daion, Darreon, Decklin, Deklyn, Jarian, Jarion, Kairyn, Kamaron, Kaysan, Kellon, Kelon, Kelvon, Kerron, Kyreese, Lydon, Machai, Maurion, Obrien, Quadre, Quintan, Raeden, Roarke, Ryson, Tauren, Toryn, Travius, Treavon, Tryone, Tryton, Tyion, Tyrae, Tyreon, Whalen, Delan, Derrien, Dreon, Dyllen, Javel, Teren, Tiron, Amazi, Bijon, Bradden, Callin, Carrick, Coady, Corran, Cullan, Dameian, Deavin, Dejay, Deran, Deren, Desmen, Donovyn, Gaelen, Gerell, Jarris, Jerrik, Kahron, Keevon, Keimari, Keimon, Keyante, Keymon, Kiree, Klever, Konan, Labrian, Lason, Raevon, Ranen, Ryelan, Schon, Tallan, Tane, Tanyon, Tarl, Teven, Tiwan, Travoris, Weyland
Names like Keira
Names whose popularity has moved with Keira's over the last 50 years.
