Declining since 2006, #385 for girls today.
Popularity of Kira since 1938
Babies named Kira per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 88 |
| 1960s | 627 |
| 1970s | 1,505 |
| 1980s | 5,462 |
| 1990s | 7,439 |
| 2000s | 12,085 |
| 2010s | 8,979 |
| 2020s | 4,634 |
Meaning & origin
Kira first appeared in U.S. records in 1938 and became most popular in 2005, reaching its peak rank. Since 2006, its usage has been gradually declining. In 2025, it ranked 385th with about 1 in 2,007 newborns receiving the name. Kira's multicultural appeal is reflected in its popularity in states like Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Idaho, where it ranked among the top choices. The name's varied origins, from Greek to Irish to Persian, give it a versatile and international feel, while its simple two-syllable sound keeps it modern and accessible.
Kira has multiple possible origins. It may be a feminine form of the Greek name Kyros (Cyrus), meaning 'lord' or 'master', thus giving Kira the meaning 'lady'. It could also be a variant of the Irish name Ciara, derived from ciar, meaning 'dark' or 'black'. In Russia, Kira is used as a short form of names like Kirill or as a standalone name. In Persian, Kira can mean 'sun' or 'throne'. Since the 20th century, Kira has been used in English-speaking countries as a modern coinage, influenced by similar-sounding names like Keira.
Where Kira 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.
“Kira” around the world
Where Kira lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Ireland
12
babies in 2025
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Quebec
22
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ki, Kiki
Sibling names for Kira
Names that share Kira's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maya, Lena, Aria, Elena, Nina, Alaura, Alena, Alexi, Alita, Ariya, Asia, Ayana, Cianna, Kami, Kia, Nala, Nia, Nila, Nya, Rikki, Sade, Taja, Tamarra, Tasha, Teara, Tera, Tyra, Zayla, Aira, Ashia, Briza, Cienna, Daina, Danya, Dyani, Jina, Kena, Khalia, Kina, Kiona, Laina, Layna, Makeda, Mayla, Mileena, Nilah, Nyra, Reya, Riana, Rina, Samaira, Sena, Shala, Shanya, Shera, Siana, Tamyra, Tanaya, Tari, Tasia, Adama, Akiya, Amylah, Anesha, Arella, Caela, Calyn, Camara, Camia, Caylah, Ceirra, Ciji, Coree, Danai, Danay, Dezi, Diara, Draya, Dreya, Ieasha, Ikea, Jahna, Jakara, Jalah, Jalina, Jenah, Jenia, Jerra, Kadi, Kama, Karman, Karra, Kashia, Katera, Kelia, Kelise, Kemya, Kendi, Keniya, Kennya, Khaliya, Kila, Kimara, Kionna, Kyna, Lahna, Lanya, Laysha, Leea, Mahari, Makya, Mayce, Meeka, Meela, Meila, Meka, Melea, Meya, Mikaya, Mikia, Mikka, Mili, Mylia, Nalah, Nasia, Neah, Nija, Nikka, Nyana, Nyia, Nyoka, Rakia, Reana, Rinoa, Risha, Sadi, Samora, Sharma, Shyra, Tajae, Takyra, Timara, Tiya, Viha, Zlata, Zuly, Adja, Akera, Akeyla, Akyra, Ameia, Areya, Asanti, Ashana, Ashara, Asmara, Atasha, Ayona, Azula, Bryah, Chanika, Cheria, Ciena, Cyara, Cyla, Danaja, Donae, Emanie, Emaya, Gelila, Hiya, Ileah, Jaima, Jaira, Jaisa, Jakera, Jamine, Jasma, Jinora, Jirah, Kaari, Kaileia, Kamira, Kanari, Kayana, Kazia, Kelbi, Kema, Keni, Kenitra, Kerah, Kevia, Kiala, Kinda, Kla, Kyani, Kyliah, Kysa, Laraya, Lilu, Makira, Makita, Malyah, Meesha, Miakoda, Mikya, Mirissa, Myca, Nakyra, Nara, Naysa, Naysha, Ndia, Neenah, Neya, Neytiri, Niana, Niaomi, Nyelli, Nysa, Nysha, Osha, Pachia, Patra, Raela, Rhya, Rital, Saleah, Shakura, Shasha, Shila, Shya, Shyana, Siarah, Syra, Taila, Talyah, Tannah, Tarrah, Tashira, Thanya, Tiaira, Tika, Tila, Tiye, Tyia, Tyria, Yani, Zasha, Zenya, Zira, Zyrah, Breyah, Jadi, Javaeh, Kanda, Karris, Kimimila, Lenya, Meiah, Nyella, Onya, Samarie, Zabdi, Adasha, Ahja, Ajene, Akaya, Akeira, Akita, Alka, Allea, Anaka, Aneri, Anikah, Arriah, Ayira, Ayzia, Breea, Bryssa, Caci, Casha, Chamika, Chena, Chyan, Cionna, Cyera, Cyriah, Denai, Denya, Ebany, Gelena, Ikeya, Jadea, Jahnai, Jessah, Jyra, Kaiyla, Kalika, Kashae, Keah, Kelany, Keta, Keyah, Keyle, Khaya, Khodi, Kida, Kieana, Kima, Kimyah, Lany, Malary, Merliah, Mikita, Miriya, Nalla, Navani, Neelah, Neleh, Niari, Nicha, Nikira, Nolah, Nyrie, Nyrobi, Raea, Ranika, Reia, Remee, Rewa, Rhia, Riata, Rini, Rmoni, Ryka, Sakia, Satoya, Savreen, Seela, Senya, Seva, Shaili, Shalan, Shonya, Shuree, Shyah, Shyna, Sieara, Sila, Sosha, Syla, Taara, Taima, Tajia, Talayia, Tarae, Tarahji, Taraya, Tola, Tyaira, Tyrika, Vaniya, Veya, Viya, Yarlin, Zyaira
Brothers: Milo, Leo, Ethan, Liam, Noah, Amari, Anakin, Devonte, Kolbe, Korbin, Daven, Jevon, Kael, Kiel, Kipton, Kyron, Rayvon, Tyrin, Tyrique, Dasan, Dayon, Demani, Dravin, Esvin, Jacori, Jaevon, Jahvon, Jaidin, Jamen, Jamoni, Jaymar, Jayvin, Jyaire, Kadan, Kadarius, Kailan, Kainan, Kanin, Kasai, Kasin, Kemon, Keno, Khary, Kong, Kree, Kvon, Marqus, Nashon, Neeko, Revan, Shalin, Tafari, Tyon, Virat, Wanya, Zalen, Akeen, Corian, Devean, Elya, Jaree, Jarmar, Javarus, Kairen, Kallin, Kaynan, Kendan, Mahzi, Makale, Meko, Mikhi, Nekoda, Nivan, Obi, Rilan, Sakani, Sevon, Taje, Teyon, Torion, Traivon, Travas, Tyrez, Zymire, Enzi, Kyros, Nakhi, Ajamu, Akaash, Akon, Cotey, Daric, Demere, Dreshon, Jabre, Jaja, Jekhi, Jerik, Juvon, Karion, Karnell, Katai, Keevon, Kelian, Kenay, Keyion, Khalin, Khamoni, Khup, Kie, Kire, Kobee, Kovi, Kyrion, Kysin, Laithan, Miking, Miquan, Mosi, Mycal, Myreon, Nakari, Nikai, Taejon, Tamaj, Tevan, Tyri, Tyrick, Tyse, Ukiah, Zyrie, Zyrion
Names like Kira
Names whose popularity has moved with Kira's over the last 50 years.
