[name]Hi[/name] there! You guys were so helpful last time I asked a question that I’m back again.
My husband and I are pretty sure we want to go with [name]Kieran[/name], or some variant of it, as the name for our baby boy due in [name]December[/name]. However, I’m a little hesitant so I thought I’d post here for your input.
Does the name sound feminine to you? We personally think it sounds masculine but have received feedback that people are using it as a girl’s name in the US and that it sounds feminine.
[name]How[/name] would you pronounce it? My husband’s family is from [name]Ireland[/name] so we’re pronouncing it the way we’ve heard his friends/family there say it. I was just curious how others would pronounce it though.
[name]How[/name] would you spell it? ([name]Kieran[/name], [name]Keiran[/name], [name]Kieron[/name], or [name]Ciaran[/name] - these were all of the variants of it listed in my Irish baby names book)
I must correct you. [name]Ciaran[/name] ISN’T a variant. It’s the Irish Gaelic spelling and my favourite. [name]Ciar[/name]án was the name of numerous Irish saints. [name]Kieran[/name] is an Anglicized spelling of [name]Ciaran[/name] as are the others mentioned. [name]Ciar[/name]án normally has an accent over the second “a” in [name]Ireland[/name] so it’s pronounced like “[name]KEER[/name]-awn”. I think most English speaking people pronounce it something like “[name]KEER[/name]-in”. There are some girls that are named [name]Kieran[/name] but I don’t think it should be a concern. If you live in [name]North[/name] [name]America[/name], [name]Kieran[/name] is the preferred spelling. If you want the original and authentic Irish name, then I would advise you to choose [name]Ciaran[/name].
I agree with mischa, [name]Ciaran[/name] is the authentic irish name (and the name of awesome actor [name]Ciaran[/name] Hinds!!) and in my opinion the nicest looking.
I prefer the look of [name]Ciaran[/name] to the others as well, the C just looks smoother to me, and I’d be inclined to pronounce [name]Kieron[/name] with more of a [name]Ron[/name] sound to a [name]Ran[/name] sound at the end. [name]Ciaran[/name], [name]Kieran[/name] and [name]Keiran[/name] I’d all say something like [name]Keer[/name]-an. I think it looks masculine, and the feminine form is [name]Ciara[/name]/[name]Keira[/name]/etc anyway, so even if girls are using it it’s far more popular on boys. I’ve only ever known one female [name]Kiran[/name] and I’m not sure if that spelling is a legit [name]Asian[/name] name from a different form anyway.