I’ve always liked the name [name]Kieran[/name] but I’ve found quite a few people I’ve spoken to think of it as a bit of a weak name. It is definitely softer than, say, [name]Max[/name] or [name]David[/name] of course. But do you think it is softer than [name]Lucas[/name] or [name]Flynn[/name], for example?
I love the name [name]Kieran[/name], although I prefer [name]Keane[/name]. It’s definitely softer than [name]Lucas[/name] and [name]Flynn[/name], but [name]Kieran[/name] will probably cause a lot of spelling problems.
I prefer the spelling [name]Ciaran[/name] or a different name ([name]Cian[/name]/[name]Kian[/name]) but no bad associations.
A guy who was very immature, very excitable, and very desparate… 
Wow. I love the name [name]Kieran[/name] (I also love [name]Kiera[/name]) and I don’t consider it soft at all. Because it starts with a hard K sound, I find that it has a nice balance. I love the meaning of the name and the sound of it. I had a german shepherd named [name]Kiera[/name], and have considered using [name]Kieran[/name] on our next if it is a boy, but probably won’t. When I try to picture a man named [name]Kieran[/name], I picture somebody with dark hair and a calm but mischievous personality. 
I don’t think that [name]Kieran[/name] is soft at all. I see it as a distinctive and masculine Irish name. I really like [name]Kier[/name] as a nn too.
The [name]Kieran[/name] I know is charming but eccentric, grinning, drug-taking party boy who is very good-looking but knows it, and shows up to other people’s houses without his shoes.
I think [name]Ciar[/name]án is more appealing than [name]Kieran[/name], but I like un-Anglicized Gaelic/Celtic names.
I must say I prefer [name]Cillian[/name] or [name]Corbin[/name] or [name]Conor[/name] to [name]Ciaran[/name], but I don’t hate [name]Ciaran[/name].
I don’t think it sounds particularly soft. It just doesn’t crack my top list of Gaelic names because it has the same -an ending as a lot of them and I don’t want a sibset full of rhyming [name]Aidan[/name]/[name]Owen[/name]/[name]Ronan[/name]/[name]Rowan[/name]/[name]Liam[/name]/[name]Lonan[/name]/[name]Ciaran[/name]/[name]Conan[/name]/[name]Cillian[/name]/[name]Finnian[/name] because I’d eventually off myself.
I prefer [name]Kier[/name]. [name]Kieran[/name] never appealed to me. It’s quite similar [name]Kirsten[/name] and [name]Karen[/name]
i have never met a [name]Kieren[/name] but have no bad impressions. not a classic ‘strong’ name like david but cool, artsy in my head
I know a little boy by the name so I think of him: excitable, happy with a toothy smile, long curls and a love for trains.
I agree–[name]Kieran[/name]/[name]Ciaran[/name] never struck me as soft at all. It actually sounds quite distinct and strong to me, not to mention masculine. 
I have to say I prefer the original Gaelic spelling–[name]Ciaran[/name]–though.
To me it isn’t softer than [name]David[/name] or [name]Lucas[/name]…I think of [name]Kieren[/name] as broad and tall and for some reason the name makes me think of a glass of milk!
I just think of an Irish guy too.
I’ve only known one from a very large family in my home town who I guess would be almost 30 now.
I don’t think it’s soft or unmasculine at all. It might be that people react to its similarity to trendier names? But to me it’s strong and cool. [name]Ciaran[/name] might make that impression come through more clearly, but [name]Kieren[/name]/[name]Kieran[/name] is totally ok with me.
I think of this horrible boy at summer camp, soi have never liked the name [name]Kieren[/name], however I do love similar names the similar name [name]Caelen[/name].
Odd, I’ve always gotten a masculine impression from [name]Kieran[/name]. I was first introduced to the name through a [name]Fire[/name] Emblem character. To me, [name]Kieran[/name] is a strong, bold person; maybe a bit of a jock, and likes horseback riding.
I think of the actor [name]Kieran[/name] Culkin. Not the worst Culkin brother association.
I don’t think it’s a soft name at all, I think it’s strong but feels a little dated in the UK. I could certainly imagine a [name]Kieran[/name] with brothers named [name]Lucas[/name] and [name]Flynn[/name], I guess that’s because I actually do know brothers named [name]Kieran[/name] and [name]Lucas[/name] who are 8 and 3 years old.
I think I prefer the spelling [name]Ciaran[/name], but better still would be [name]Kian[/name]/[name]Cian[/name].
I adore [name]Kieran[/name]/[name]Ciaran[/name]. My associations with both are only through actors. I generally just think of it as Irish and handsome. Perhaps not super manly, but I don’t find it weak at all either. Maybe a tad cheeky!
Thanks for all the replies guys. Reassuring!
That’s what I came on here to say, lol.
I’ve always liked the name [name]Kieran[/name].