Fun Facts About the Name Ciaran
- More than 2 thousand babies named Ciaran: U.S. records list 2,232 babies given the name Ciaran from 1880 through 2025. Even 35 girls received the name Ciaran - about 1 girl for every 63 boys.
What Does the Name Ciaran Mean?
Ciaran is an Irish name built from the Irish word ciar, meaning "dark" or "black," plus the diminutive suffix -án. Its literal sense is "little dark one," and the customary interpretation is "dark-haired." The Irish form is Ciarán, often written without the accent as Ciaran in English; the usual anglicized spelling is Kieran. The name is not related to the similar-sounding Irish names Cian or Cillian, which come from different roots.
Ciaran Name History & Origins
Ciarán belongs to the earliest layer of Irish personal names. It was borne by two well-known Irish saints. Ciarán of Saigir, an early bishop associated with Ossory in the south of Ireland, is traditionally counted among the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, who died around the middle of the sixth century, founded the monastery at Clonmacnoise on the River Shannon, and his cult kept the name familiar in Irish devotion and genealogy. The diminutive ending -án was common in early Irish names, which is why the form is longer than the bare word ciar.
When the name passed into English usage, it was respelled in several ways, giving Kieran, Kieron, and Kyran; these reflect English spelling habits rather than separate origins. Ciarán with the accent remains the standard Irish spelling. The name also lies behind the surname Ó Ciaráin, anglicized as O'Kieran or Kieran. It stayed largely Irish and Scottish in use until the twentieth century, when the anglicized Kieran spread more widely in Britain, North America, and Australia.
How Popular is the Name Ciaran?
Ciaran has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2025. Its best rank was #1,609 in 2025.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #15,421 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #15,812 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2004 | #16,666 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2003 | #16,299 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #11,096 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #6,728 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #1,609 | 105 | 0.0061% |
| 2024 | #1,776 | 92 | 0.0054% |
| 2023 | #1,914 | 82 | 0.0048% |
| 2022 | #1,893 | 83 | 0.0048% |
| 2021 | #2,064 | 71 | 0.0041% |
| 2020 | #2,049 | 69 | 0.0040% |
| 2019 | #2,269 | 61 | 0.0034% |
| 2018 | #2,238 | 61 | 0.0034% |
| 2017 | #2,218 | 60 | 0.0032% |
| 2016 | #2,094 | 67 | 0.0035% |
| 2015 | #1,959 | 74 | 0.0039% |
| 2014 | #1,798 | 83 | 0.0043% |
| 2013 | #1,783 | 81 | 0.0043% |
| 2012 | #2,176 | 61 | 0.0032% |
| 2011 | #1,826 | 78 | 0.0041% |
| 2010 | #2,148 | 62 | 0.0032% |
| 2009 | #1,926 | 74 | 0.0037% |
| 2008 | #1,841 | 79 | 0.0039% |
| 2007 | #2,001 | 70 | 0.0034% |
| 2006 | #2,086 | 63 | 0.0031% |
| 2005 | #2,063 | 60 | 0.0030% |
| 2004 | #1,884 | 65 | 0.0033% |
| 2003 | #1,909 | 61 | 0.0031% |
| 2002 | #2,225 | 47 | 0.0024% |
| 2001 | #2,124 | 49 | 0.0025% |
| 2000 | #2,341 | 41 | 0.0021% |
| 1999 | #2,103 | 45 | 0.0023% |
| 1998 | #1,992 | 48 | 0.0025% |
| 1997 | #2,136 | 41 | 0.0022% |
| 1996 | #2,259 | 36 | 0.0019% |
| 1995 | #2,698 | 27 | 0.0014% |
| 1994 | #2,126 | 38 | 0.0020% |
| 1993 | #2,721 | 26 | 0.0013% |
| 1992 | #3,634 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 1991 | #3,485 | 17 | 0.0008% |
| 1990 | #5,919 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1989 | #3,481 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1988 | #4,210 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1987 | #3,765 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1986 | #3,925 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1984 | #5,067 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1982 | #6,538 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1979 | #4,926 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1977 | #5,995 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1971 | #5,025 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1969 | #4,497 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1968 | #4,227 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1959 | #3,669 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Ciaran Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are cheerful and friendly, but are apt to have an emotional life. You like to have several lines of effort going at once. You are a good talker and promoter and seldom worry over anything. At times, you can be impatient, and impulsive. You have the ability to bring an idea to completion. You can express yourself joyously and constructively. You might be psychic, but not know it. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You are always looking for a chance to do your own thing, to be your own person, and to have things done your own way.
✦ Ciaran's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Ciaran's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.