Kieren

Kieren is primarily a masculine name of Irish and Gaelic origin. It's a modern variant spelling of Kieran, which derives from the Irish name Ciarán, meaning 'little dark one' or 'dark-haired.' The original name comes from the Irish word 'ciar' meaning 'black' or 'dark' combined with a diminutive suffix. Saint Kieran (or Ciarán) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland in the 6th century, establishing the significance of this name in Irish Christian tradition. Kieren began gaining popularity in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century as parents sought Irish names with contemporary spellings. It offers a modern twist while maintaining its Celtic roots.

Kieren is also given to girls.

Pronounced KEER-un.

As of October 2026, Kieren ranked #15646 in US births in 2014 SSA, peaked at #8513 in 2010.