Ciaran

Ciaran is the unaccented spelling of Irish Ciarán, a name built from ciar, associated with darkness, and a diminutive ending. It is traditionally understood as “little dark one,” often interpreted in relation to dark hair. The meaning is historical and does not imply that a child needs a particular appearance to bear the name.

Kieran is an anglicized form that makes the initial k sound more obvious to English readers. Ciarán keeps the Irish spelling and its accent, while Ciaran is common where diacritics are omitted. Actor Ciarán Hinds is a recognizable bearer. The name also has a long history among Irish saints, giving it religious roots beyond its modern screen association.