Keira is a feminine given name of Irish origin and meaning "dark-haired". It is derived from the Gaelic word "Ciara", which itself comes from the word "ciar" meaning "black" or "dark". In Irish mythology, Ciara was a goddess associated with the moon and the stars.
The name Keira first gained popularity in Ireland during the late Middle Ages. However, it did not spread to other parts of Europe until much later, when Irish immigrants began settling in countries such as England, Scotland, and Australia during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, Keira is considered a global name, with people bearing this name found all over the world.
One notable bearer of the name Keira was Keira Christina Knightley, born on March 26, 1985 in London, England. She is an acclaimed actress known for her roles in films such as "Pirates of the Caribbean", "Bend It Like Beckham", and "Atonement". Although she is British by nationality, Knightley has Irish ancestry, which may have contributed to her parents choosing the name Keira for her.
In recent years, the name Keira has also gained popularity due to its use in popular culture. For instance, it was the name of a character played by actress Jennifer Connelly in the 2005 film "Dark Water". Additionally, singer-songwriter Ke$ha, born Kesha Rose Sebert on March 1, 1987, uses the stage name Ke$ha, which is a play on her given name Keira.
Overall, Keira is a beautiful and unique feminine given name with an interesting history and cultural significance. Its meaning, "dark-haired", may have contributed to its popularity among parents looking for names that reflect their children's physical characteristics or their personal preferences. Whether chosen for its meaning, cultural significance, or simply because it sounds appealing, the name Keira is sure to be a distinctive choice for any little girl lucky enough to bear it.
The name Keira has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. In the early 1960s, it was quite rare, with only 5 births recorded in 1962 and 9 births in 1963. However, by the late 1970s, Keira started to gain traction, with 27 births in 1971 and 27 births again in 1972.
The turning point came in the mid-1980s when the name began to surge in popularity. In 1985, there were 90 births, which was a significant increase from previous years. This trend continued throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, reaching a peak of 433 births in 2003.
The year 2004 marked an unprecedented milestone for the name Keira, with a total of 1244 births recorded. This number continued to rise over the next few years, reaching an all-time high of 3022 births in 2006.
However, like many names that experience a surge in popularity, Keira's numbers began to decline after 2007. By 2018, there were 867 births recorded, and this number has continued to decrease in recent years, with 576 births in 2022 and 519 births in 2023.
Despite the recent decline, Keira remains a popular name in the United States. Over the past five decades, there have been a total of 32860 births recorded for this name. This data demonstrates how trends in naming can change over time, reflecting cultural shifts and personal preferences among parents.