Ciarán is a male given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic word "ciar" which means "dark" or "black". The name was popularized by Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, an early Irish saint who was born in the sixth century. He founded Clonmacnoise monastery and became its first abbot. The name Ciarán has been used in Ireland for centuries and is still a popular choice today. It is often shortened to the nickname "Ciar" or "Ciara" when used as a female given name.
The name Ciaran has seen a notable increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. From only 6 births recorded in 1959, its usage began to rise steadily from the late 1970s onwards.
In 1979, there were 7 births, marking the start of an upward trend that continued through the 1980s. The decade saw a significant increase, with the highest number of births recorded in 1987 and 1988 at 12 and 11 respectively.
The 1990s witnessed even more growth for the name Ciaran. From just 8 births in 1990, the numbers jumped to 38 in 1994, peaked at 70 in 2007, and have maintained a consistent level of popularity ever since.
Between 2010 and 2022, the number of births with the name Ciaran has hovered around 60-80 annually. The most recent data shows that there were 83 births in 2022 and 80 births in 2023, indicating a continued interest in this name.
Overall, the statistics demonstrate a steady rise in popularity for the name Ciaran over time. Its usage has consistently increased since the late 1970s, with notable spikes in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s. While the numbers have stabilized somewhat in recent years, they remain high compared to its earlier decades of use.