The nameCiaran

Ciaran is an Irish boy's name meaning "little dark one". It was a top 110 name in England and Wales in 2004.

Meaning

Ciarán comes from the Irish ciar, "dark", with a diminutive ending.

Origin

Irish.

History

Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise founded one of the great monasteries of early Ireland. In England and Wales Ciaran reached 107th in 2004.

Famous people named Ciaran

Popularity of the name Ciaran

Ciaran in the United States

1780thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
2024peak year (92 births)
2,122babies named Ciaran in the United States since 1880
04692 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Ciaran was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 688 births over the decade, 32% of all recorded babies named Ciaran. Its rise began around 1971, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Ciaran in the United States were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 79 births a year on average, against 65 in the five years before.

Ciaran in the United Kingdom

700thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2004peak year (723 births)
8,028babies named Ciaran in the United Kingdom since 1997
0362723 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Ciaran was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 4,596 births over the decade, 57% of all recorded babies named Ciaran. Half of all babies named Ciaran in the United Kingdom were born before 2004. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 64 births a year on average, against 96 in the five years before.

Ciaran in Ireland

120thmost popular boys' name in Ireland in 2025
1982peak year (359 births)
12,445babies named Ciaran in Ireland since 1964
0180359 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Ciaran

Names from the same generation as Ciaran, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Ciaran? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Ciaran with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Ciaran side by side with the name of your choice.

Ciaran in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ciaran mean?

Ciarán comes from the Irish ciar, "dark", with a diminutive ending.

What is the origin of the name Ciaran?

Irish.

Is Ciaran a girl's or a boy's name?

Ciaran is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Ciaran?

In 2024, Ciaran was the 1780th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 92 births.

What are the variants of the name Ciaran?

Variants and related names of Ciaran include Ciara, Kiara and Kieran.

What are good sibling names for Ciaran?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Mona, Fatoumata, Mildred and Ema for a sister, Adel, Armin, Augustin and Konrad for a brother.

Who are famous people named Ciaran?

Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise; Ciarán Hinds, actor; Ciaran Clark, footballer.