Opinions on unusual baby names

[JPo]

Hi all!

We love the name Ciara (pronounced like Kiera/Kira). The spelling we have chosen is the traditional irish way but I worry about people calling her the wrong name her whole life!
Should I just go for the more modern spelling to make her life easier?

[explainthistomeplease]

I know a Ciaran pronounced Kieran. He's 26 now and has never had any problems. So I doubt a Ciara would.

[romdowa]

Ciara is definitely not unusual and plenty people worldwide know how to say it from that spelling. Spelling it with a k isn't a modern way... there is still no k in the Irish language

[grievinggirlneedsadvice]

I know a Ciara, she's lovely. I reckon she gets a few people who struggle at first with pronunciation but it's not a massive issue.

[Hiyawotcha]

I would pronounce it wrong the first time, but only once if corrected.

so the way I would pronounce it (first time only) would be Key-ara.

[Sealover123]

Hmmm, I'd think people would pronounce it "see are uh" as in rhyming with tiara. But maybe that's just me!

[YouFilthyAnimal]

I would pronounce it ‘Sierra’ like the singer

But it depends how much the variable would bother you

[FromNowOn23]

I know one who gets called kee-ar-uh.

But I’m sure people get used to the correct pronunciation when they know.

[Sirzy]

I wouldn’t have any issue with the pronunciation and think it’s a lovely name

[FayCarew]

It can look like Clara in print, I'd stick to the traditional spelling but I knew the name Kira long before I'd heard of Ciara or Keira. Kira looks like it might be a soft drink or something.

[Honeybeesintrees]

I can't imagine any normal person would have difficulty with the name Ciara, my cousin who lives in England has this name and never has any issues. If someone does mispronounce it then you correct it no big deal. There is a famous singer Ciara so it's really not they unusual

[Marynotsocontrary]

The singer pronounces the name differently though, doesn't she?

[TrueScrumptious]

Isn’t Ciara a normal name, like Niamh? I don’t think it’s that unusual.

[JPo]

Thanks for your messages, generally I think the opinion is she might have to correct a few people as she gets older but its not unusual enough to cause her too much bother!
Back home in Ireland its still quite common but now living in the UK I haven't met anyone with the name so was worried she would be correcting people relentlessly!

[FayCarew]

It hasn't been much used in England & Wales, and people will get it wrong.
I know a few Kierans with that spelling, but no Ciaran.

It doesn't really compare with Niamh, because that has been used a lot

[GeorgiaGirl52]

@Sealover123

Hmmm, I'd think people would pronounce it "see are uh" as in rhyming with tiara. But maybe that's just me!

Me too.

[YesYesAllGood]

It's my name. I get lots of nice compliments but it is very frequently spelled incorrectly, even by relatives and friends! I think you'll have this problem whatever spelling you choose.

[FayCarew]

I agree, but more people will say Keira correctly.

[Beebops3]

I would assume Ciara like tiara.

[continentallentil]

No I think it’s well known enough

It’s a much prettier spelling