Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Is my daughters name awful?

162 replies

Queeenie · 05/02/2020 11:05

I have a DD (no longer a baby) who is called Keira. I have seen threads about “K” apparently being chavvy and also threads discussing the spelling of this name.

I specifically chose this spelling for 2 reasons. 1 - I’m Scottish and it’s the feminine form of the boys name Keir. 2 - because although there are alternative spellings (Ciara and Kiera), this is the most commonly used spelling.

After reading the other threads, I just worry I’ve made a bad choice with this and that my daughter may some day be unhappy with her name.

Have I made a big mistake?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Mamabear88 · 05/02/2020 17:25

My best friend is called Ciera! I don't think it's chavvy at all..

Strokethefurrywall · 05/02/2020 17:10

It's a totally inoffensive, lovely name.

I don't get why you're this concerned about nobodies claiming that "K" names are "chavvy"? Who says?

Both my sons have surnames for first names Scottish husband) - I couldn't give a shiny monkey shite if randoms think it's chavvy, or don't like it, or think they're too American, or that they sound like a law firm.

Stand by your decision and close off your mind to shit that doesn't matter. It. Doesn't. Matter. What. Others. Think.

Balkinfly · 05/02/2020 17:03

Nice name

Spied · 05/02/2020 17:01

I don't think there's anything about it to particularly hate whether you like the name or not.

yogafailure · 05/02/2020 16:53

I like it - disclaimer, I'm Scottish and have dc called Keir Wink

Ohyesiam · 05/02/2020 16:51

My association is Keira Nightly, who is beautiful, talented clever and kind. Nothing to not like.

Drabarni · 05/02/2020 16:22

CatteStreet

I appreciate this, I just call it out every time as it's wrong. It's not the stealing of the word, it's that it is used in a derogatory way.
I think it's worse as it's the word for child.
I get tired of doing it, as it makes not much difference, but some people don't realise how offensive they are being and when pointed out don't continue with the word. So, sometimes my voice is effective Grin

Mrsjayy · 05/02/2020 15:52

We liked Keir if any of the dds were boys it was never considered chavvy /common 20+ years .

alphasox · 05/02/2020 15:38

I have a son called Keir. Everyone on mn told me that was chavvy too. I wonder if anyone mentioned that to Sir Keir Starmer recently? Wink
It’s a lovely name. Don’t doubt yourself!

Poppydaisies · 05/02/2020 14:56

It's fine. Not my taste but not awful!

EffieIsATrinket · 05/02/2020 14:41

Well I live in NIreland and know a Keira with an obviously Irish surname!

I think of it like Catriona/Katrina - just different spellings of a normal mainstream (imo lovely) name.

ParsleyPot · 05/02/2020 14:33

It's a lovely name

Nancydrawn · 05/02/2020 14:30

The Kardashians do no get to ruin Ks for everyone. I utterly refuse to give them that power.

Katherine
Kali
Karen
Kadija
Kathleen
Katya
Kay
Keiko
Kesi
Keziah
Kirsten

Not all may be to your taste (e.g. my cousin hates her name, Katya, while Karen is getting kind of a beating in American pop culture at the moment) but all are common and/or elegant in their cultures of origin.

Totallypearshaped · 05/02/2020 14:24

My initial impression as an Irish person is that you didn’t know not to use a K... there’s no K in the Q Celtic languages alphabets- Scots Gallic and Irish gaeilge.

also, that it could be interpreted as quite culturally insensitive as you’ve you anglicised a Celtic name..

I suppose if she doesn’t live in Scotland or Ireland, then it will be fine.

In Ireland, it would definitely cause an eyebrow raise, and people would feel sorry for her as her name’s spelled “wrong”... she’ll have to spell it constantly and explain how her parents made a mistake! Sorry!

VeganCow · 05/02/2020 14:21

lovely name and looks lovely written too

Hollywolly1 · 05/02/2020 14:14

That name is beautiful

Mummyoflittledragon · 05/02/2020 14:12

I think it’s a lovely name. It sounds a little posh. Cute girl, strong woman.

whipdd · 05/02/2020 14:12

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Lilymossflower · 05/02/2020 14:04

I like it. If when she's older she dousnt like it she can choose to go by a middle name instead if she has one. But personally I like it and I think she will.

caoraich · 05/02/2020 14:04

I think it's a nice name.
I'm scottish too and know quite a few baby and toddler Keira/Kieras so it doesn't come across as unusual to me.
MN can be awfully snobby about names

ClinkyMonkey · 05/02/2020 13:46

I would never think of it as 'chavvy' at all.

My sons' names are apparently boring, if I go by the comments on here. But they mean something to our family and that'll do for me.

Frenchw1fe · 05/02/2020 13:46

Perfectly nice name, not

@Elderflower14. When we named our dd my mil called her ‘the little girl’ for months rather than say her name.
My own parents who are separated both rang to tell me they would call dd by her middle name. They both got told to call her by her first name or not bother visiting.

Rhubarbncustard4 · 05/02/2020 13:46

It’s a pretty name

memberofseven · 05/02/2020 13:39

Lovely name. Not chavvy at all.

ChristmasCarcass · 05/02/2020 13:39

I think it went through a “Chardonnay” moment about ten years ago when Pirates of the Caribbean came out and people were naming their kids after Keira Knightley. That’s passed though, and it’s just a normal name again now. I like it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread