Keiran

Meaning & origin

Keiran is an anglicized spelling of the Irish classic Ciarán, meaning 'little dark one'. First recorded in U.S. data in 1989, it reached a peak rank of 5608 in 2011 before beginning a gradual decline; by 2025 its 1-in-106,755 occurrence rate places it among rarer choices. The name has never charted in the top 1000, but its variants Kieran and Kyran have seen slightly broader use. Keiran appeals to parents drawn to Irish heritage, offering a distinctive yet accessible alternative to the more common Ryan or Dylan. Its trajectory has been falling since 2010, consistent with a broader retreat from many consonant-heavy Celtic names.

Keiran is an anglicized spelling of the Irish name Ciarán, derived from the Gaelic word ciar meaning 'dark' or 'black'. The name has been in use in Ireland since early medieval times, borne by numerous saints, most notably Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, a 6th-century bishop. It gained popularity in English-speaking countries as a given name in the late 20th century.