I love these two traditional Irish names [name_m]Cian[/name_m] (kee-en) and [name_m]Ciaran[/name_m] (keer-en). The alternate spellings for these names are [name_m]Kian[/name_m] and [name_u]Kieran[/name_u]. I was just wondering which spelling for both names you guys prefer, the traditional Irish spellings or the alternate spellings. [name_f]TIA[/name_f]!
I prefer the Irish spellings, but if you live somewhere without a significant Irish population, I would go with the K. Especially for [name_m]Cian[/name_m], which I think would get pronounced as See-in a lot by unfamiliar people.
(I also especially like it with the accent: [name_m]Ciar[/name_m]án.)
I love both so much, but I agree with pp that the ‘K’ spellings would get mispronounced much less.
I first saw [name_m]Kian[/name_m] with a K (on an Irish man) so I’m inclined to say I prefer it that way. I’m less picky where [name_m]Ciaran[/name_m]/[name_u]Kieran[/name_u] is concerned, but I know more to spell with a K as opposed to a C. I agree with previous posters that the K appears to lead to less mispronunciation than the C.
I love both names and much prefer the [name_m]Ciaran[/name_m] and [name_m]Cian[/name_m] spellings. I also love [name_m]Cillian[/name_m].
I know Kierans with both spellings and I love the name! I generally prefer traditional spellings but this is one case in which I think [name_u]Kieran[/name_u] would make life easier in the U.S. If you are elsewhere, I can’t really advise.