Can I use Ciara?

[Tootbeep]

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.

You're right about the pronunciation, it's Keer-ah. Just be aware that in the UK with that spelling (the nicest one, in my view) you'll get Key-ar-ah more times than not.

I don't think not having Irish heritage matters at all.

It was popular in Ireland about 30 years ago, but not so much now. In the UK it's never been overly popular however you spell it. If it's dated I really don't think it matters.

It's a beautiful name.

It's a beautiful name.

I wouldn't call it dated, I didn't realise it was ever that popular, honestly. But that's a good thing, it's not overused but not too different either.

Not sure about the pronunciation though- I always though that it was pronounced like Sierra, but I may be wrong!

It's a pretty name, but because it's less well known I think you'll get a lot of people misreading it and thinking it's 'Clara'.

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 .

There’s an italian girls’ name spelt the same but pronounced ´key AH ra’

Lovely name, your child may get fed up with people mis spelling it, but it's not the worst thing.
I have an Aidan who is cross with people who spell it Aiden but he's 10, I'm sure he'll get over it at some stage

Sorry actually the Italian version is written ´Chiara’

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

*I'm

I thought it was Chiara. Beautiful name

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

@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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

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

@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.

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

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!!

@Allpenguinsarepingus

There’s an italian girls’ name spelt the same but pronounced ´key AH ra’

I thought that was Chiara?

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

They don't have any Irish heritage

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