Ciara (given name)
Encyclopedia
Ciara (ˈkɪərə) is a popular Irish language
female name and was tenth on the list of most popular names given to baby girls in Ireland
in 2006. It is the feminine version of the name Ciarán
, meaning "black" in Irish Gaelic, and was also the name of Saint Ciara, a seventh century Irish saint
venerated by the Roman Catholic Church
. The name's spelling has occasionally been Anglicized as Keira
, Keara or Kiera.
The similar names Chiara, Kyra
and Kira
all have other origins. Chiara is an Italian
variant of the Latin
origin name Claire and means "bright, clear," while Kyra and Kira are both feminine versions of the Persian
name Cyrus
. All three names, along with variant spellings such as Kiara and Kierra, have been used with some frequency in English
-speaking countries and are often confused with Ciara. The name Kiara , used for a character in the sequel to The Lion King
, has also seen regular use.
In the United States
, the name Ciara is also sometimes pronounced siːˈɑrə. This is the pronunciation used by the singer Ciara. This name may have been inspired in part by the popularity of a perfume brand called Ciara created by Revlon
in 1973, as well as by the popularity in the United States
in recent years of the name Sierra, which means "saw" in Spanish and has been used as a name for mountain ranges.
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
female name and was tenth on the list of most popular names given to baby girls in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 2006. It is the feminine version of the name Ciarán
Ciarán
Ciarán , Ciaran in Scottish Gaelic, Ceiran, Kieran, Keeran, Kyran, Kiaran, Keiran, Kieren, Kieron, Keiron or Kiernan , is a personal name meaning "small dark one". Ciarán comes from the Irish word "Ciar" which means black or dark. Ciar can be linked back to Ciar, son of Fergus, King of Ulster...
, meaning "black" in Irish Gaelic, and was also the name of Saint Ciara, a seventh century Irish saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
venerated by the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. The name's spelling has occasionally been Anglicized as Keira
Keira (given name)
Keira is a female given name. It is an anglicized version of Ciara, the name of a 7th century saint, and means 'dark' in Irish Gaelic....
, Keara or Kiera.
The similar names Chiara, Kyra
Kira (given name)
Kira is an ancient female given name and is actually unrelated to Ciara, which in Gaelic means dark.The girl's name Kyra is pronounced . It is a form of the name Kiran, pronounced...
and Kira
Kira (given name)
Kira is an ancient female given name and is actually unrelated to Ciara, which in Gaelic means dark.The girl's name Kyra is pronounced . It is a form of the name Kiran, pronounced...
all have other origins. Chiara is an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
variant of the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
origin name Claire and means "bright, clear," while Kyra and Kira are both feminine versions of the Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
name Cyrus
Cyrus (name)
Cyrus is the given name of a number of Persian kings. Most notably it refers to Cyrus the Great. Cyrus is also the name of Cyrus I of Anshan Cyrus is the given name of a number of Persian kings. Most notably it refers to Cyrus the Great. Cyrus is also the name of Cyrus I of Anshan Cyrus is the...
. All three names, along with variant spellings such as Kiara and Kierra, have been used with some frequency in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
-speaking countries and are often confused with Ciara. The name Kiara , used for a character in the sequel to The Lion King
The Lion King
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
, has also seen regular use.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the name Ciara is also sometimes pronounced siːˈɑrə. This is the pronunciation used by the singer Ciara. This name may have been inspired in part by the popularity of a perfume brand called Ciara created by Revlon
Revlon
Revlon is an American cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care company founded in 1932.-History:Revlon was founded in the midst of the Great Depression, 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the "L" in the Revlon name...
in 1973, as well as by the popularity in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in recent years of the name Sierra, which means "saw" in Spanish and has been used as a name for mountain ranges.
Notable people named Ciara
- Ciara Arnette
- Ciara DurkinCiara DurkinCiara Durkin was a member of the Massachusetts National Guard who died under mysterious circumstances while deployed in Afghanistan. The US Army investigation ruled the death a suicide but the family disputes this....
- Ciara HarrisCiaraCiara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
- Ciara JansonCiara JansonCiara Janson is an English actress best known for her role in Hollyoaks as Nicole Owen.The character of Nicole Owen was Ciara Janson's first major television work. Previous parts include the role of Heidi for a BBC radio drama...
- Ciara NewellCiara NewellCiara Newell was an original member of Irish girl group Bellefire. She has two sisters, Cathy Maria and Neasa.Ciara now works for a record label in London where she deals in promotions and writes songs. Ciara is also involved with the Irish language television station TG4 where she has been working...
- Ciara SottoCiara SottoCiara Anna Gamboa Sotto-Oconer is a Filipina actress and singer.-Personal life:She is the youngest daughter of actress Helen Gamboa and actor and senator Tito Sotto. She is first cousins with Sharon Cuneta and first niece with KC Concepcion. She is also cousins with Danica and Oyo Boy Sotto...