Kiernan is an Irish given name of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Ciarnáin, which comes from the ancient personal name Ciarnán. The meaning of Ciarnán is believed to be "little dark one," referring to a person with dark hair or complexion.
The use of Kiernan as a given name is relatively recent, with it becoming more popular in the late 20th century. It is often found among Irish families who wish to honor their heritage by using traditional Gaelic names for their children.
Historically, the Ó Ciarnáin clan was an important one in Ireland. They were located primarily in County Tyrone and were known for their involvement in politics and warfare. Some notable figures with the surname Kiernan include Thomas Francis Meagher, an Irish nationalist who played a significant role in the Young Ireland movement, and Patrick Joseph "P.J." Kiernan, an American politician from New York.
Today, Kiernan is used as both a first name and a surname. It has gained popularity worldwide due to its unique sound and Irish heritage. Despite its recent use as a given name, it remains deeply rooted in Irish history and culture.
The name Kiernan has seen a varied journey in terms of popularity over the past several decades in the United States.
From 1957 to around the mid-1970s, the name was quite rare, with only a handful of births each year. The numbers hovered between five and nine births per year during this period. However, from the late 1970s onwards, there was a significant increase in the number of babies named Kiernan.
The peak of popularity for the name Kiernan occurred between the late 1980s and early 2000s. During these years, the annual births of children named Kiernan increased dramatically, peaking at 77 births in 2008. This trend continued until around 2012, after which there was a decline in popularity.
Despite this decline, the name Kiernan has maintained a steady level of popularity since then, with approximately 30 to 50 births per year between 2016 and 2023.
In total, according to the statistics provided, there have been 1687 babies named Kiernan in the United States from 1957 to 2023. This demonstrates that while Kiernan may not be one of the most popular names in the U.S., it has nevertheless maintained a consistent presence over several decades.