Ciara / Kira / Keira?

[breakfastdinnerandtea]

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!

It can actually be hard to know how to pronounce a name when you’ve never met anybody with the name before or heard it said out loud! Obviously I know how it’s said now and agree it will be easy to remember how it’s said and I did acknowledge that I recognised how I’d pronounce them probably wasn’t right, that’s just how I’d say them based on seeing them written.

@MolkosTeenageAngst totally agree it can be hard. It doesn't help that the English language is inconsistent too then throw in its really an Irish name

Celtic languages only ever have a hard C like calm never a soft c like certain. Those who weren't really taught phonics don't always notice.

Clara is lovely, v elegant!

Yes, I didn’t realise Ciara was Irish so was trying to make phonetic sense of it in English, ia usually makes two vowel sounds in English words and names (eg: Mia, Amelia, Diana, Lillian) which is why I thought it would be Ci-a-ruh and pronounced with 3 syllables rather than the 2 of Keira.

There is no pronunciation differences with the different spellings. It’s an Irish thing you can’t sound out Siobhan or Niamh. They are just Irish names and that’s how it goes.
Ciara is pronounced Kear-uh

Lovely name you don't hear that often

I'd go for Ciara.

I prefer Ciara but in saying that I would not give a child an Irish name if she has no Irish heritage, I constantly get asked about the origins of my name and my child's name so it could be embarrassing to have a name that she has no links and is disconnected from - she’ll have people asking if her parents/grandparents are Irish and then an awkward silence when she says there is no link. I would go with Kier if any. Personally I would choose a name that has a meaning behind it or a link that is personal to you! I love telling people why I chose my kids name, the meaning behind it etc…

Well actually, you do sound them out. You use the letter/ sound correspondence of the Irish language, which is very regular from a phonic pov.

You were right - that IA in Irish is always sounded. It's only very slightly audible in 'Ciara' and most other instances, and the A is usually pronounced as a schwa (neutral vowel).

I definitely believe this because my husband is super fussy! I had a friend at uni called Ciara and everyone knew how to pronounce it just fine so use that spelling if it's your favourite. My niece is also the anglicised version and no one has questioned if she has Irish heritage (she doesn't). Lots of Maeves without Irish heritage around.

I guess you've gone through other similar sounding options if it's not your favourite: Camille, Cora, Cara, Claudia, Cordelia, Callie, Erica, Caroline.

Or trying to think of ones that might be a mix of your styles; Quinn, Elowen, Harper, Audrey, Adeline, Adelaide, Adele, Erin, Sadie, Saskia.

The name is not a fave for either of you so don't use it, Op.

You have used your favourite girl name so you could let DH make a list of his favourite ten; you choose one from that.

Suggestions ..
Claire
Cleo
Camilla
Kate
Vreni - pronounced Vraynie
Elsie

His faves might be sweet.

I like the name but Ciara is the traditional Irish spelling and it's pronounced key-ra.

If you aren't Irish, I wouldn't use it as you will forever have idiots producing it like Sierra.

It isn't. It's more like keer-rah

Keira is my name (I’m also Irish) and my parents chose it from a name book published in the 1970s, so it was a recognised spelling long before Keira Knightley’s dad apparently spelled it wrong on her birth certificate…

I know it’s not the original spelling but it’s feckin weird seeing lots of people saying my name (which I’ve had for well over 40 years) is ‘wrong’. 😂😜

Pick whichever one you prefer, OP!