Ciara

Ciara is an Irish name related to Ciar, an element meaning “dark.” It is often explained in name guides as “little dark one,” though the basic dark element is the important linguistic connection. Its Irish history is separate from Italian Chiara, which belongs to the Clara family and has a different meaning.

The familiar Irish pronunciation is closer to KEER-uh. American singer Ciara uses a different pronunciation, which helps explain why English speakers may read the same letters in more than one way. Kiera and Keira are related spellings to compare. Choosing Ciara keeps the Irish written form visible, while introducing the intended sound can prevent confusion with Chiara.