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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Fort, stronghold
- Origin
- Scottish
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- KEER
Keir is a Scottish boy's name, pronounced KEER, with a clean, modern, bold sound and a classic feel. It comes from a word meaning "fort" or "stronghold." You may see it said to mean "dark" or "swarthy," but that likely comes from confusion with "ciar"-rooted names like Ciara or Kieran, not from Keir's own roots.
Meaning & Origin of Keir
Meaning: Fort, stronghold.
Origin: Scottish.
A common claim: Often said to mean 'dark' or 'swarthy' Actually: That meaning likely comes from confusion with "ciar"-rooted names like Ciara or Kieran. Keir's own etymology instead points to a word meaning "fort" or "stronghold."
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Keir
KEERIPA /ˈkɪr/
Popularity of Keir
Keir peaked at #1028 in 1970, when 63 boys were given the name. In 2024 it ranked #6633, with 13 boys, so it remains a rare choice.
Names Like Keir
These names share Keir’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Keir mean?
Fort, stronghold. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Keir?
Keir is pronounced KEER (IPA: /ˈkɪr/).
Is Keir a popular name right now?
Keir peaked at #1028 in 1970 and is ranked #6633 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1963–2024.)
Make Keir Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Keir, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Keir? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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