Irish girl name
Keira Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Keira means dark, dusky. An anglicised form of Irish Ciara, from ciar, meaning dark.
Keira is an English spelling of the Irish name Ciara, which comes from the word ciar, meaning dark or dusky. The spelling Keira became familiar in the early 2000s, helped by the actress Keira Knightley, and is now used widely in Britain and Ireland. It keeps the same sound as Ciara but looks easier to English readers. If you like the Irish spelling, Ciara has a longer tradition, including a saint of the same name.
Computer-generated voice, as a guide to pronunciation.
How to pronounce Keira
KEER·ah
Keira has 2 syllables. The stress falls on the first syllable (shown in bold). Say it as written in the respelling, with each capitalised part spoken a little louder.
Why the spelling looks different from the sound
- ei / ea: "ei" is often "eh" or "ay", and "ea" is often "a" as in "cat" or "ay" depending on the word (Eimear, Neasa, Deirdre).
More on silent letters · Irish names people mispronounce.
Irish, Welsh and Gaelic dialects differ from region to region, so you may hear more than one correct version.
Variants of Keira
KieraKiaraCiaraKyra
A well-known Keira
Keira Knightley.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Keira mean?
Keira means "dark, dusky". An anglicised form of Irish Ciara, from ciar, meaning dark.
How do you pronounce Keira?
Keira is pronounced KEER-ah.
What is the origin of Keira?
Keira is an Irish girl name. In Irish it is written Ciara.
How many syllables are in Keira?
Keira has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first one.
Why is Keira spelled the way it is?
The spelling follows Irish spelling conventions rather than English ones. "ei" is often "eh" or "ay", and "ea" is often "a" as in "cat" or "ay" depending on the word (Eimear, Neasa, Deirdre).
What are other spellings of Keira?
Other spellings and forms include Kiera, Kiara, Ciara, Kyra.