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At a Glance: Name: Kira – Meaning: Irish 'ciar' = dark/black (via Ciara); also linked to Persian Cyrus (disputed sense) — not 'shining' as commonly claimed – Origin: Irish (via Ciara) and/or Persian (via Cyrus); also used in Japan – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: KEER-uh
Kira is pronounced KEER-uh, and it most likely traces back to the Irish name Ciara, from 'ciar' meaning dark or black — it's also been linked, less certainly, to the Persian name Cyrus, and the name is used in Japan as well. You may have come across the claim that Kira means 'light' or 'shining,' but that doesn't square with its likeliest Irish root. It's a classic name rather than a new or trendy one.
Meaning & Origin of Kira
Meaning: Irish 'ciar' = dark/black (via ciara); also linked to persian cyrus (disputed sense) — not 'shining' as commonly claimed.
Origin: Irish (via Ciara) and/or Persian (via Cyrus); also used in Japan.
A common claim: Frequently said to mean 'light' or 'shining.' Actually: Kira is often said to mean 'light/shining' — that conflicts with its likeliest source, Irish Ciara, which derives from 'ciar' meaning 'dark/black.'
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Kira
Phonetic: KEER-uh IPA: /ˈkɪrə/
Popularity of Kira
In 2024, 684 baby girls were named Kira, putting it at #455 nationally — down from its high point in 2005, when 1,391 girls got the name and it ranked #241.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1938–2024.
Make Kira Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Kira, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Kira mean?
Irish ‘ciar’ = dark/black (via ciara); also linked to persian cyrus (disputed sense) — not ‘shining’ as commonly claimed. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Kira)
How do you pronounce Kira?
Kira is pronounced KEER-uh (IPA: /ˈkɪrə/).
Is Kira a popular name right now?
Kira peaked at #241 in 2005 and is ranked #455 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1938–2024.)
📊 How popular is Kira? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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