I have always loved the name Kieran since I was a little girl. Now that I have a little boy to name, I thought Kieran would be nice. However, I live in the US and it's a very unusual name. People don't seem to be able to pronounce it (doesn't seem too tough to me!) and think that it sounds too feminine. I know it's more common in UK and Ireland, so I'd like some feedback from those who know more about the name. What do you think of it? Does it have nicknames? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Kieran's Mom (possibly)
2007-03-24 09:38:07 · 60 answers · asked by josie h 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Baby Names
I have a friend called Keiran..he's Irish and there I think it is quite popular and middle class...in England.. I would say it's more of a lower class name..a little chavvy ( white trash) but as your son is going to grow up in the US, then that doesn't matter as it will be different. Good luck with your end choice
The only reason people might think it sounded girly in the US is propably because they've heard of Keira Knightly or Keira Sedgewick..but In Britain it isn't considered girly at all. : )
2007-03-24 09:45:04 · answer #1 · answered by DS12221 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It's a pity that in the US they never make much effort to pronounce anything correctly. If at the end of the day you like the name, have it! Just because it's not common in the US should not be any reason for giving your child the name you want! You could always spell it "Ciarán", and see if they could pronounce it any better then!
Personally, I love the name Kieran which for me is always a boys name. If there is difficulty in the pronouncation, perhaps you spell it the alternative way of "Kiran", but I personally know of both a man and a woman with the same spelling so I suppose that way is unisex.
P.S Congratulations on Kieran's safe arrival!
2007-03-26 02:19:14 · answer #2 · answered by Nelly35 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How lovely for someone to be calling their baby a good solid Irish name, spelled correctly as well. If people can get used to some of the outlandish names I have seen posted here then Kieran should be easy.
may God bless both you and baby Kieran.
2007-03-25 06:01:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like it!! Some info 4 U :
The boy's name Kieran \ki(e)-ran\ is pronounced KEER-en. It is of Irish and Gaelic origin, and its meaning is "black". Name of a saint (sixth century) was admired for his generosity. Actor Kieran Culkin.
Kieran has 11 variant forms: Ciaran, Keiran, Keiron, Kernan, Kieren, Kiernan, Kieron, Kierren, Kierrin, Kierron and Kiran.
For more information, see also the related name Ciarán.
Baby names that sound like Kieran are Kern, Kirwan and Kyran.
2007-03-24 23:41:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kieran is actually my FAVE boys' name at the moment. I live in Australia where it's not that common, but everyone knows how to pronounce it!
The Irish spelling is Ciaran (there's a kid at my school with that name), which I don't like as much as Kieran / Keiran.
I think Americans are poo-pooing it because it's unfamiliar to them and perhaps sounds a little too much like Keira / Kiera (a girls' name).
It is NEVER mistaken for 'Karen' here in Oz, as we pronounce the names very differently (the KA bit in Karen sounds like the CA in cap, whereas Keiran is pronounced KEAR-in).
I adore the name. GO FOR IT!!! :)
2007-03-24 15:38:15 · answer #5 · answered by Mrs C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I love the name. It means dark one, so that's kinda creepy, but it's still an awesome name. Don't know any nicknames for it, though. I love the Celtic/Gaelic names, because I have one. If I ever have a little boy, I want to name him Kieran.
Congratulations on going to have a baby!!
2007-03-24 10:06:39 · answer #6 · answered by Marie. 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As someone from the US I don't think that this name is bad at all. It's masculine and actually getting popular. In 2005 it was listed at #573 for males. While its not overly popular which is a good thing (do we really need more Johns or Jeff's?) it's not unheard of. Chances are he will meet other guys with that name as he grows up. I love the name.
Leslie/Ashley.. not that is a girl name for a man.. and I've met some very masculine men with those names as well. I wouldn't base your son's name on the responses from a bunch of teenagers (at least thats how the responses sounded)
2007-03-24 10:55:51 · answer #7 · answered by illiana 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is a perfect name :-) it's sooo cute. Def name him Kieran. The whole point is it being unusual, when people come up to you and say oh "he's so cute, whats his name" n you can "Kieran" they'll say oh wow, unusual name but sooo adoriable. You'd rather them say that then for him 2 have a name thats so overused and they'll be like "oh, well you have a cute son" and quickly walk away
2007-03-27 20:36:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kieran is an absolutely gorgeous classic Irish name that is still in popular usage in Ireland, though not so common in the U.S.
I think it's got a wonderful sensitive-yet-masculine, Hibernian-heritage kind of sound to it, and it's MUCH better than all the Jaden/Jayden/Jaiden/Ja'Kayden sort of self-consciously kre8tiv names that get bandied around these days!
2007-03-24 14:58:37 · answer #9 · answered by Guernica 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
OMG! I love the name Kieran. Even though it doesn't really sound like a really boyish name, it's pretty cool. I know this guy name Kieran and he's really nice. My best friend is like gonna marry him!! Anyways, if you're really worried that it sounds too girly, then you should make that his middle name.
2007-03-24 13:22:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I only know one Kieran. I went to elementary, MS, and HS with him. Although a few substitutes accidently called him "Karen", most peope liked his name. I remember hearing people give him compliments for it often. Some people might mess it up (but that goes for even the most common of names sometimes) but once they hear it, they will most likely remember it. Plus, there's an actor Kieran Culkin. Maybe they will know how to pronounce it because of him.
2007-03-24 09:47:03 · answer #11 · answered by January 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋