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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:
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wineymummy · 05/02/2020 13:38

Don't worry, it's a lovely name. MN generally hates the name of DD1 and our preferred name for DD2 (due May) is pretty much similar in terms of MN opinion. In fact, DD1 would have been a variation on her name except an old MN thread put me off...and I still slightly regret that.
In real life, we've only ever had compliments and I'm more confident in giving DD2 the name we have chosen.

Original poster
Queeenie · 05/02/2020 13:32

*Regarding Keira Knightley - Her name is a misspelling.

She was meant to be named "Kiera", the anglicized form of "Kira", after Kira Ivanova, whom her father admired. However, Macdonald misspelled the name when she went to register her daughter, writing the "e" before the "i"*

You are right, Keira Knightly’s name was misspelled. She was supposed to be named after a figure skater whose name was spelled Kiera, however the Keira spelling that her father used was around long before she was born and was very much a valid spelling of the name also.

OP posts:
CatteStreet · 05/02/2020 13:29

Drabarni, I certainly didn't mean its use in Romany Flowers I meant the way people throw it around in English.

Original poster
Queeenie · 05/02/2020 13:29

Thanks so much for all the reassurance. I was really starting to second guess myself. It’s great to hear that so many of you like it, although (like you say) it shouldn’t matter what others think.

OP posts:
neverornow · 05/02/2020 13:28

Not chavy at all. I think it's a lovely name

BlueEyedFloozy · 05/02/2020 13:23

I was at school with a Keira throughout the 90's and have worked with an Keira and Ciara as an adult (although the latter were pronounced Key-ara).

Never thought anything of it tbh, it's a nice name :)

slinkysaluki · 05/02/2020 13:23

I think its a nice name x

Blackbear19 · 05/02/2020 13:21

Nothing wrong with the name but is Keira and Kiera not pronounced differently.

K-eh-ra rather than K-ey-ra.
Hard to put the sounds into letters.

Drabarni · 05/02/2020 13:21

'Chavvy' is a horrible offensive term and invalidates the opinion of the user IMHO.

It's even more offensive to take this word from another language and race and turn it into something derogatory in another language.
Find your own derogatory term and leave our chavvies alone. Thanks

ofwarren · 05/02/2020 13:20

Nothing wrong with K names unless you start using K where it should be C, such as Khloe and Kourtney. Kiera is fine. It's not my taste but it's a perfectly good name that I wouldn't raise an eyebrow at.

RowenaRavenclawTheSecond · 05/02/2020 13:16

It doesn't sound chavvy at all to me.

I think the whole chavvy K thing is from some people spelling names with a K that are traditionally with a C, like Krystal or Kourtney

Ijustwanttoretire · 05/02/2020 13:16

Don't worry about it - we had this discussion recently - my sister and I are named with names common at the time - think Sharon and Tracey - not classy but I couldn't image being called anything else, despite it being very obvious how old I am from my name. Very, very few people change their first name, it becomes their identity after a short time. You always get the odd one or two though...

CatteStreet · 05/02/2020 13:15

Lovely name. 'Chavvy' is a horrible offensive term and invalidates the opinion of the user IMHO.

Mybobowler · 05/02/2020 13:12

Keira is a lovely name - elegant and gentle. I have occasional regret days over my DD's name, to a certain generation it's a terribly brassy, dated old-lady name - an association that was lost on me. The important thing is that you like it - you'll never find a positive consensus on any name, especially on here!

Lalapurple · 05/02/2020 13:09

To me it's a normal nice girl's name.

TARSCOUT · 05/02/2020 13:08

What does it matter it's not like you're going to change it?

Inherdefence · 05/02/2020 13:07

I have a much loved female relation with that name and that spelling. They are both lovely.

NoProblem123 · 05/02/2020 13:07

I worked with a Keira after never hearing it before. She was feisty and funny and brave and kicked everyone butts.
Great colleague and a great name!
Plus, after Keira Knightly, a very pretty name to boot.

AnotherMonthAnotherName · 05/02/2020 13:03

It's pretty. I prefer the C spelling personally but K is fine.

alwaysmovingforwards · 05/02/2020 13:01

Don't worry.
If she doesn't like it when she's older she'll simply adopt a middle name or nickname when meeting new people. It's her choice really.

livingmyslothlife · 05/02/2020 12:54

DS would have been Keira had he been a girl.

CaptainMyCaptain · 05/02/2020 12:53

It's not an awful name, I have taught some lovely Keiras.

devonport12 · 05/02/2020 12:52

Great name. ALl the best people's names begin with K :)

Spidey66 · 05/02/2020 12:46

I'm Irish descent and more familiar with Ciara but like the name Keira as well.

RantyAnty · 05/02/2020 12:43

Remind yourself whenever you have these doubts. Other people's opinions don't matter.

People online are strangers. What you think is more important than some random internet stranger.

As for the name, I have an older sister with that name and I like the name and I like my sis.

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