UK girl's name
Ciarra
A feminine name of unknown origin, possibly derived from Ciara.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ciarra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ciarra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3936, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 5 births.
This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1996 to 2009. 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.
Ciarra is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 22 living people in the UK are called Ciarra. 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 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ciarra ranked #3936 for girls in England and Wales in 2009, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 5 girls were registered as Ciarra.
- • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ciarra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3936
2009
Births in 2009
5
Latest year
Peak year
2009
5 births
Estimated living
22
2026
Meaning
What does Ciarra mean?
The name Ciarra is believed to have its origins in the Irish language, tracing back to the medieval period around the 12th century. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word "ciar," which translates to "dark" or "black-haired." This suggests that the name may have initially been used to describe someone with dark features or hair.
In ancient Irish folklore and mythology, there are references to figures bearing names similar to Ciarra, such as Ciara or Ciaran. However, it is difficult to establish a direct connection between these mythological characters and the modern name Ciarra.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ciarra can be found in the 16th century annals of Ireland, where it was mentioned as the name of a woman from the O'Brien clan, a prominent Irish family. Unfortunately, specific details about this individual are scarce.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who carried the name Ciarra. In the 17th century, Ciarra Ní Chonaill was a renowned Irish poet and composer, known for her contributions to the Irish literary tradition.
In the 19th century, Ciarra MacNamara was a celebrated Irish artist whose works captured the landscapes and rural life of her homeland. She was born in 1825 and lived until 1898.
Moving into the 20th century, Ciarra O'Donnell was a prominent Irish political activist and advocate for women's rights. She played a significant role in the Irish independence movement and was active in the early 20th century.
Another notable figure from the 20th century was Ciarra Fitzgerald, an Irish-American author and journalist born in 1922. She wrote extensively about Irish culture and the immigrant experience in America, publishing several critically acclaimed works during her lifetime.
Lastly, in the realm of sports, Ciarra O'Connor was an accomplished Irish golfer who competed professionally in the late 20th century. She won multiple tournaments and represented Ireland at various international events, contributing to the growth of women's golf in her home country.
While the name Ciarra has Irish roots and a rich historical background, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in recent times. However, the focus of this report remains on the ancient origins and notable figures from history who bore this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ciarra over time
The chart below shows babies named Ciarra registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ciarra, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2009, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ciarra by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ciarra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4217 | 15 | 4 |
| 1990s | #3469 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Ciarra
- 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
Ciarra: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ciarra in the UK right now?
In 2009, Ciarra was ranked #3936 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Ciarra most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 5 babies registered as Ciarra in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ciarra?
A feminine name of unknown origin, possibly derived from Ciara.
How many people are called Ciarra in the UK?
A total of 22 babies have been registered as Ciarra across the 6 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.