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Baby names

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

Original poster

Can I use Ciara?

56 replies

Tootbeep · 30/01/2022 12:58

I really like the Irish name Ciara - prefer the original spelling to Kiera / Keira. I have a couple of concerns -

  1. Pronunciation - I think it's Keer-ah, but I've seen some people say it's more like Key-ra?
  1. I have no Irish heritage and live in England, is that an issue?
  1. Is it a bit too dated? It used to be pretty popular but seems to be declining now.

Any other thoughts welcome. Thanks.

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SummaLuvin · 30/01/2022 18:03

@RedCandyApple

I would have pronounced it Sierra as well because of the singer
Same here.

Kiera / Keira I would pronounce Kear-ahh.
Chiara I would say Key-ahh-rah.

RedCandyApple · 30/01/2022 17:15

@BeefSupreme

I just looked up this singer that's been mentioned. I don't think too many people will automatically think of the name pronounciation of a singer that was briefly famous 10 years ago. No offence to her.
It’s probably because for me that’s the only time I’ve heard the name spelt that way, to me “Keer ah” is Kiera, I’ve not heard Ciara on anyone else apart from the singer
BeefSupreme · 30/01/2022 17:11

I just looked up this singer that's been mentioned. I don't think too many people will automatically think of the name pronounciation of a singer that was briefly famous 10 years ago. No offence to her.

Kitkat151 · 30/01/2022 16:58

There will be a lifetime of mis pronunciation

tokyo1 · 30/01/2022 16:56

I called my Irish patient named this 'See-er-ah' like the singer and they were looking at me like I was crazy. I know now when this name pops up it's 'keer-ah' so even if people say it wrong, once corrected, it's fine.

BeefSupreme · 30/01/2022 16:51

It's a lovely name. When was it ever popular though?

There was a Ciara in my class, and it was pronounced Keer-ah.

OddsNSodsBitsNBobs · 30/01/2022 16:04

I know two Ciara's both of Irish heritage but living on London (parents born and bred Irish) both pronounce it as you do OP. K-EAR-AH

Cheesechips · 30/01/2022 15:59

They don't have any Irish heritage

Cheesechips · 30/01/2022 15:58

I know a baby Ciara. Pronounced like the actress. It's really pretty and a bit different.

PrincessNikla · 30/01/2022 15:22

@Allpenguinsarepingus

There’s an italian girls’ name spelt the same but pronounced ´key AH ra’
I thought that was Chiara?
Bobobilly7 · 30/01/2022 15:21

You're right about the pronunciation being "keer-ah", my niece is a Ciara living in London and that's how she would explain to people, if they query.

It's a beautiful name. I wouldn't worry about it being pronounced incorrectly, just correct people and they'll do get used to it. I find the assumption that's it's sierra really strange, possibly happened because of the singer!!

RedCandyApple · 30/01/2022 15:16

I would have pronounced it Sierra as well because of the singer

Socialcarenope · 30/01/2022 14:52

@Allpenguinsarepingus

There’s an italian girls’ name spelt the same but pronounced ´key AH ra’
Yes, I automatically pronounce it the Italian way. I don't make the association with Kiera at all and all Ciaras I've known have pronounced it like tiara with a C.
mintich · 30/01/2022 13:54

The family who have pronounced it Sierra have probably named her after the singer, unaware of the pronunciation over here

SeanChailleach · 30/01/2022 13:42

It's a beautiful classic name. Use it, enjoy it.
The letters "ia" in Irish is a dipthong, between one and two syllables. In the names Ciara and Ciarán it's often said as one syllable, as Dea says.
The first letter, C, is a slender c. It's either like a k, or like a k with a consonant y, or like English ch. So in practise the name Ciara is often pronounced "Cheera". But not as "Sierra" though it might have been before the dawn of writing.

NB The Irish word cím "I see" is often pronounced as in English "cheem". It gets spelt "tchím", officially, in the caighdeán (the standard spelling that is used for legal stuff).

Lazypuppy · 30/01/2022 13:38

I would pronounce it see-er-ah or chi-er-ah

Stokey · 30/01/2022 13:23

I read it as Key-ar-ah thinking of the Italian version.
Irish names can be difficult. DH loved Sorcha but wanted to pronounce it like Sor-sha, whereas I think in parts of Ireland it is pronounced Sur-ka. We decided against it given the confusion.

GemmaRuby · 30/01/2022 13:19

I would spell it Keira like Keira Knightly to avoid mispronunciation. I know it’s not the traditional spelling, but if you don’t have Irish heritage I don’t think it should be an issue.

Lovely name, I know a 2 year old Keira.

MysweetAudrina · 30/01/2022 13:19

Irish living in Ireland with a Ciara. We pronounce it care ah. She is 25. It is popular in Ireland but not overly so as in it is quite a traditional name like Niamh or Aisling.

Spidey66 · 30/01/2022 13:19

@McScreamysGhostPants

I know somebody in my close family that called their baby girl this and they pronounce it Sierra . Now I'm totally confused and don't know if it was a conscious choice on their behalf or if it is actually a mistake .
They're pronouncing it wrong, in that case. C in Irish is not pronounced like an s, it's pronounced like the c in cat.
Plutoisaplanet · 30/01/2022 13:17

I’ve also heard it pronounced see-ah-ra

whattodo2019 · 30/01/2022 13:17

I thought it was Chiara. Beautiful name

Masdintle · 30/01/2022 13:16

*I'm

Masdintle · 30/01/2022 13:16

I read it to rhyme with 'tiara' but maybe in a bit thick

Allpenguinsarepingus · 30/01/2022 13:15

Sorry actually the Italian version is written ´Chiara’