Rising since 1986, #1,267 for boys today.
Popularity of Kiran since 1966
Babies named Kiran per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 15 | 0 |
| 1970s | 116 | 87 |
| 1980s | 249 | 139 |
| 1990s | 410 | 310 |
| 2000s | 682 | 844 |
| 2010s | 332 | 1,053 |
| 2020s | 72 | 732 |
Meaning & origin
Kiran is a unisex name of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'ray of light.' In the United States, it first appeared in records in 1970 and has been steadily rising in popularity since 1986. By 2025, it reached its peak rank at 1267, with approximately 1 in 11,020 newborns receiving the name. The name is particularly popular in states like Massachusetts, Washington, and New York. Its simple yet luminous meaning and cross-gender appeal have contributed to its enduring appeal across diverse communities.
Kiran is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kiraṇa' (किरण), meaning 'ray of light' or 'beam of light'. It is a common name in India, used across Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities for both boys and girls. The name has also gained usage in other English-speaking countries, often as a unisex name.
Where Kiran is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kiran” around the world
Where Kiran lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kiki, Ran
Sibling names for Kiran
Names that share Kiran's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Priya, Riya, Anjali, Meera, Sana, Aditi, Ambar, Asha, Chandra, Esha, Jala, Jaya, Nila, Prisha, Rani, Reva, Veda, Zaria, Aanya, Ahana, Anisha, Avani, Avni, Brinda, Chanda, Divya, Indira, Janya, Jiya, Kanika, Krisha, Leela, Maha, Meena, Neela, Nidhi, Qiana, Reena, Sahasra, Samya, Sanaya, Shanti, Simran, Uma, Aasha, Adhira, Ambika, Amrita, Aneesha, Anjuli, Anoushka, Aparna, Artha, Daya, Deepa, Devani, Dhara, Disha, Gauri, Iniya, Ishita, Jasmina, Kaavya, Kalinda, Kimaya, Meghana, Myrka, Naina, Nayana, Nihira, Nishka, Pria, Ramya, Risha, Roshni, Saisha, Saran, Sarayu, Sarika, Satya, Sehaj, Shama, Sharma, Sheela, Sherin, Shruti, Siddhi, Sitara, Teja, Tulsi, Urvi, Vaani, Vani, Varsha, Veena, Veera, Vinita, Akhila, Amala, Anaika, Aneka, Antara, Anu, Ashika, Avnoor, Deeksha, Deeya, Deva, Dhanya, Heena, Hena, Janki, Krithi, Kritika, Lavanya, Makara, Mala, Malini, Manasa, Manika, Mihika, Navany, Neelam, Netra, Nikhita, Nilani, Nimrat, Nitasha, Pallavi, Ramani, Reeya, Sadira, Satara, Shila, Simar, Snigdha, Surina, Suriya, Tarika, Trishika, Vrinda, Anshi, Mayukha, Mekala, Saranya, Sargun, Shakya, Sharmila, Solai, Aahna, Aarini, Ajaya, Alka, Amritha, Amrutha, Anamika, Anjalee, Anuja, Ardra, Aryaa, Aryahi, Aryani, Ashwini, Atisha, Baani, Bhavana, Bhavika, Dhana, Dhruti, Dhyana, Dinesha, Eshani, Gurbani, Gurnaaz, Hema, Hetal, Kalika, Karuna, Kaveri, Kayal, Kripa, Krishika, Krisna, Kushi, Lahari, Lekha, Mahathi, Mahiya, Maitri, Minal, Mitali, Mitra, Mohini, Moksha, Nalina, Naveena, Navina, Neera, Nilaya, Nimrit, Nishita, Nitara, Nithila, Nitika, Nupur, Oviya, Parisha, Preethi, Priyana, Radhya, Rajanae, Raksha, Rewa, Ritisha, Ruhee, Sahaana, Sehrish, Shantika, Shresta, Simrin, Sindhu, Sisira, Smrithi, Sritha, Sruti, Sunjai, Sunya, Svara, Taara, Tanishi, Tarini, Torsha, Twisha, Usha, Varenya, Vinaya, Vinisha, Viveka, Yuktha
Brothers: Arjun, Rohan, Nikhil, Amit, Vijay, Amar, Jai, Rishi, Ved, Vivek, Akash, Ashwin, Dev, Naveen, Neel, Raghav, Raja, Sai, Shaan, Shivam, Surya, Tejas, Veer, Aadi, Amrit, Anant, Angad, Anik, Arav, Arjan, Arvind, Avik, Avinash, Dewan, Ekam, Gaurav, Kavi, Kush, Manu, Navin, Nilan, Nirav, Nirvan, Pavan, Rajah, Rajon, Rohaan, Rohin, Ruhaan, Samay, Sharan, Siddarth, Sohan, Sohum, Tanish, Tej, Vilas, Vir, Yug, Zorawar, Abhi, Ananth, Ashan, Ashrith, Ashwath, Atul, Bhavik, Bhavin, Deep, Deshan, Devesh, Eashan, Gurman, Gurshan, Jawaan, Jivan, Kavari, Kirtan, Makar, Manveer, Mithran, Nalin, Naren, Navjot, Paarth, Parag, Praneel, Ramar, Rithik, Romir, Ruhan, Sahas, Shivan, Shray, Soma, Srikar, Suhas, Vayu, Vineet, Viren, Guhan, Navraj, Nevaan, Samik, Ajeet, Akaash, Anir, Aseem, Avaneesh, Hanish, Jag, Janard, Jayanth, Kashis, Keval, Maanav, Manas, Mani, Mathan, Nandan, Nehan, Nilay, Parv, Raam, Raden, Sahan, Samier, Savan, Suhaas, Tanav, Vedh, Vidit, Vikranth
