UK girl's name
Ciarah
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of "Sierra".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ciarah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ciarah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5730, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2008 to 2015. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Ciarah. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ciarah ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 3 girls were registered as Ciarah.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ciarah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5730
2015
Births in 2015
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Ciarah mean?
The name Ciarah is believed to have its origins in the Irish language, deriving from the Gaelic word "ciar," which means "black" or "dark-haired." It is thought to have emerged during the medieval period in Ireland, around the 10th to 12th centuries.
While the name Ciarah does not appear to be directly referenced in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is likely that variations of the name, such as Ciara or Kiera, were used in early Irish communities. The name's connection to the concept of dark hair or complexion suggests it may have been used to describe individuals with these physical characteristics.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ciarah can be found in the Irish Annals, a collection of historical records dating back to the 5th century. In these annals, there are mentions of individuals with similar names, such as Ciaran and Ciarán, which share the same root as Ciarah.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Ciarah or its variations. One such figure was Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, an Irish monk who lived in the 6th century and founded the famous monastery of Clonmacnoise in County Offaly, Ireland.
Another influential figure with a similar name was Ciaran of Saigir, an Irish saint who lived in the 5th century and established several monasteries in Ireland. He is particularly revered in County Offaly and is celebrated on March 5th each year.
In more recent times, the name Ciarah has been carried by several individuals in various fields. Ciarah O'Riordan was an Irish singer and songwriter who gained popularity in the 1990s as the lead vocalist of the band Cibó Matto. She was born in 1974 and is known for her unique blend of jazz, punk, and electronic music.
Ciarah Philips is a contemporary American actress and model, born in 1989. She has appeared in several television shows and films, including the popular series "Gossip Girl" and the movie "The Fault in Our Stars."
Ciarah Farrell is a Scottish fashion designer and entrepreneur, born in 1983. She is known for her sustainable and eco-friendly approach to fashion, and her label has gained recognition for its innovative use of recycled materials and ethical production practices.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Ciarah throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and cultural significance across various regions and eras.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ciarah over time
The chart below shows babies named Ciarah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ciarah, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2015, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ciarah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ciarah was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5730 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #5545 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ciarah
- Chloe 111,265
- Charlotte 88,733
- Caitlin 28,931
- Courtney 23,162
- Chelsea 13,049
- Clara 9,435
- Connie 8,402
- Catherine 8,376
- Charlie 7,964
- Cerys 7,506
- Casey 7,018
- Cara 6,375
FAQ
Ciarah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ciarah in the UK right now?
In 2015, Ciarah was ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ciarah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 3 babies registered as Ciarah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ciarah?
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of "Sierra".
How many people are called Ciarah in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Ciarah across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.