Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Kier since 1963
Babies named Kier per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 43 |
| 1970s | 77 |
| 1980s | 27 |
| 1990s | 130 |
| 2000s | 88 |
| 2010s | 88 |
| 2020s | 36 |
Meaning & origin
Kier is a concise, modern-sounding name with roots in Scottish and Irish tradition. While its exact meaning is debated, it is most commonly linked to the Gaelic word for 'dark' or 'dusky.' The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1963 and saw its highest usage in 1995, though it remains rare, with a 2025 rank of 12,008 (1 in 341,615 newborns). Its trajectory has been stable, neither surging nor declining sharply. Kier has not been recorded in any top states, suggesting a scattered, nationwide usage. As a variant of Keir and related to Ciar, it offers a simple, strong sound reminiscent of other short names like Reid or Finn.
Kier is likely a variant spelling of Keir, a Scottish surname derived from Gaelic ciar, meaning 'dark' or 'dusky.' It may also be a respelling of the Irish name Ciar, from the same root. The name has been in occasional use in the United States since the 1960s, with a peak in the mid-1990s.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Keir, Ciar, Kear
Sibling names for Kier
Names that share Kier's style, for a brother or sister.
