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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ciara / Kira / Keira?

64 replies

breakfastdinnerandtea · 30/04/2025 15:07

Just wondering on the general opinion of this name and which spelling people prefer. DH isn’t bothered about spelling, I’m not keen on Keira but don’t mind the other two.
Thanks all!

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OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/04/2025 16:05

MolkosTeenageAngst · 30/04/2025 15:49

I would pronounce Ciara, Kira and Keira differently, although from this thread it seems maybe that wouldn’t be right!

Ciara: Key-are-uh
Kira: Ki-ruh (Ki like the start of kitten)
Keira: Keyr-uh (Keyr like Keir Starmer)

I’ve never met a Ciara or a Kira and really dislike Keira, for want of a better description it was a bit of a ‘rough girl’ name when I was at school in 90s/00s, there were a few girls with the name and they tended to be bullies and troublemakers. I haven’t met a nice girl with the name, although fully appreciate that’s probably not true everywhere; Keira Knightly seems like she’d be nice enough.

Your pronunciation of Ciara is not correct. It's pronounced Kie-rah (like the Kie part of Kier Starmer expect with a bit more emphasis on the e)

Moreteaandchocolate · 30/04/2025 16:03

I’d choose Keira as it’s the most common spelling (unless you’re in Ireland) - I’m all for an easy life! Lovely name!

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 30/04/2025 16:02

I like the Irish spelling Ciara 🥰

OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/04/2025 16:01

WhisperingTree · 30/04/2025 15:38

I know Ciara is the correct Irish spelling but you are going to get people mispronouncing it. Like this https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=455929855188174

She's telling you that Keira is wrong. It's on a Radio 2 show.

Edited

She's american and lots of names are pronounced differently there given the mix of cultures.

That said, she didn't include the Irish pronunciation in her list of incorrect pronunciations.

TaTuirseOrm · 30/04/2025 15:55

I'd go with Ciara, but I'm Irish.
The other 2 grate on me for trying to anglicise a beautiful Irish name.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 30/04/2025 15:49

I would pronounce Ciara, Kira and Keira differently, although from this thread it seems maybe that wouldn’t be right!

Ciara: Key-are-uh
Kira: Ki-ruh (Ki like the start of kitten)
Keira: Keyr-uh (Keyr like Keir Starmer)

I’ve never met a Ciara or a Kira and really dislike Keira, for want of a better description it was a bit of a ‘rough girl’ name when I was at school in 90s/00s, there were a few girls with the name and they tended to be bullies and troublemakers. I haven’t met a nice girl with the name, although fully appreciate that’s probably not true everywhere; Keira Knightly seems like she’d be nice enough.

dizzydizzydizzy · 30/04/2025 15:49

Whichever spelling you choose, it's a lovely name.

dizzydizzydizzy · 30/04/2025 15:48

Agree with PP about Keira.

My DC1's name has multiple correct spellings and the spelling we picked is probably the least common in the UK. It is always misspelled. It is sooo annoying.

Alarae · 30/04/2025 15:47

What pronunciation are you going for as I would pronounce Ciara (See-air-uh) differently to Kira/Keira (Kear-uh).

I probably wouldn’t go for Kira as I’m pretty sure it means Killer in Japanese, or at least had that meaning thanks to Death Note (famous manga novel about someone killing people).

CottonPyjamas · 30/04/2025 15:43

I know a Kira who is absolutely adorable so I have good associations with the name

GoldenRosebee · 30/04/2025 15:42

I prefer Kyra... but not likely to use it since I have plenty of other names I like better. I dislike Ciara spelling tho, despite being 'original'.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/04/2025 15:17

PrettyPuss · 30/04/2025 15:08

Keira. Everyone knows how to pronounce it because of Knightly.

Ciara is the correct Irish spelling. Keira Knightly's name is a misspelling - news.sky.com/story/keira-knightleys-name-is-a-spelling-error-10373646

PrettyPuss · 30/04/2025 15:08

Keira. Everyone knows how to pronounce it because of Knightly.

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