Declining since 2012, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Keirah since 1994
Babies named Keirah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 26 |
| 2000s | 175 |
| 2010s | 190 |
| 2020s | 28 |
Meaning & origin
Keirah first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1994, a relatively late emergence for a name with such ancient roots. Its peak popularity came in 2013, when it ranked highest, after which it has been gradually declining in use; since 2012, the trend has been falling. Despite its modern spelling, Keirah is a direct variation of the Irish name Ciara, meaning 'little dark one,' and reflects the broader trend of respelling traditional names with a distinctive 'h' ending. The name remains a niche choice, with about 1 in every 321,453 girls receiving it in 2025, and it has not recorded significant use in any single U.S. state as of available data.
Keirah is a modern respelling of Keira, itself an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ciara, the feminine form of Ciar. Ciar means 'dark' and likely referred to dark hair or complexion. The name Ciara has deep roots in Irish history, borne by several medieval saints. The spelling Keirah, with a final 'h', gained visibility in the late 20th century, particularly after the rise of actress Keira Knightley.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kiki, Kira
Sibling names for Keirah
Names that share Keirah's style, for a brother or sister.
