UK girl's name
Kirra
A feminine name of Australian Aboriginal origin meaning "leaf" or "tree bark".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kirra is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kirra popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5666, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 7 births.
This profile covers 71 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 1996 to 2018. 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 71 living people in the UK are called Kirra. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kirra ranked #5666 for girls in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 7 girls were registered as Kirra.
- • About 71 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kirra as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5666
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
7 births
Estimated living
71
2026
Meaning
What does Kirra mean?
The name Kirra has its origins in the Aboriginal Australian language, specifically the Yugambeh language spoken by the Yugambeh people of the Gold Coast region in Queensland, Australia. It is believed to have emerged as a name sometime in the 19th century, although its earliest recorded use is unclear.
Kirra is derived from the word "kirra," which means "leaf" or "foliage" in the Yugambeh language. This connection to nature and the plant world suggests that the name may have been given to children as a symbolic representation of growth, renewal, and the cycle of life.
While the name does not appear to have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its Aboriginal Australian roots provide a rich cultural context. The Yugambeh people have a deep spiritual connection to the land and its natural elements, and the name Kirra may have been influenced by these beliefs and traditions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kirra can be found in the late 19th century, with the birth of Kirra Mango (1876-1962), a respected elder and community leader of the Yugambeh people. Mango played a crucial role in preserving and passing down the Yugambeh language and cultural traditions to younger generations.
Another notable figure with the name Kirra is Kirra Nivingie (1910-1986), an Aboriginal Australian artist renowned for her vibrant paintings depicting the landscapes and dreamtime stories of her people. Nivingie's works are celebrated for their cultural significance and have been exhibited in prestigious galleries around the world.
In the realm of sports, Kirra Warburton (born 1988) is a professional Australian surfer who has achieved numerous titles and accolades. Her name, derived from the Yugambeh language, adds a unique and meaningful touch to her identity as a surfer, connecting her to the coastal regions of her heritage.
The name Kirra has also been used in literature, with Kirra Somers being a character in the novel "The Rainbow Serpent" by Australian author Pauline McLeod (1933-2018). The book explores the themes of Aboriginal Australian culture and the struggle for reconciliation.
Another historical figure worth mentioning is Kirra Munro (1902-1988), a prominent Aboriginal Australian activist and advocate for land rights. Munro played a crucial role in the fight for recognition and equal rights for her people, and her name carried the weight of her cultural heritage and resilience.
Overall, the name Kirra has a rich and meaningful history rooted in the Aboriginal Australian culture and language. Its connection to nature, growth, and the cycle of life resonates with the traditions and beliefs of the Yugambeh people, making it a unique and culturally significant name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kirra over time
The chart below shows babies named Kirra registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kirra, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kirra by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kirra 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 | #5720 | 12 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3664 | 42 | 9 |
| 1990s | #2704 | 17 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Kirra
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Kirra: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kirra in the UK right now?
In 2018, Kirra was ranked #5666 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kirra most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 7 babies registered as Kirra in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kirra?
A feminine name of Australian Aboriginal origin meaning "leaf" or "tree bark".
How many people are called Kirra in the UK?
A total of 71 babies have been registered as Kirra across the 16 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.