Ciáran

Ciáran is the Irish form of the male given name Ciarán. It derives from the Gaelic ciár, meaning “dark” or “black,” with the diminutive suffix -án, yielding the sense “little dark one” or “dark-haired one.” The name has ancient roots in Ireland and remains common among Irish communities at home and abroad.

Variations and spelling include Ciarán, Ciaran, and Ciaran in Irish contexts, and Kieran, Keiran, and Kiernan in Anglicized form. In Irish orthography, Ciáran carries a fada over the a to indicate a long vowel; in English usage the pronunciation is roughly “KEER-awn” or “KEER-in,” depending on dialect.

Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise (circa 5th–6th centuries) is a prominent figure associated with the name. Often called Ciarán the Elder, he founded Clonmacnoise and is considered among Ireland’s earliest major monastic leaders. The name is also linked to other saints named Ciarán, such as Ciarán of Saighir (Seir Kieran), reinforcing the name’s historical religious associations.

In modern times, Ciáran and its variants have remained common in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora. English-language spellings such as Kieran have become widely used in the broader world, sometimes superseding the original Irish forms.

Notable bearers include the Irish actor Ciarán Hinds and the Irish film director Ciarán Foy; in English-language contexts, figures such as Kieran Culkin (American actor) also bear a related form of the name.