Meaning, origin, history
Ciarán is a male given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic word "ciar" which means "dark" or "black". The name was popularized by Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, an early Irish saint who was born in the sixth century. He founded Clonmacnoise monastery and became its first abbot. The name Ciarán has been used in Ireland for centuries and is still a popular choice today. It is often shortened to the nickname "Ciar" or "Ciara" when used as a female given name.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Ciaran since 1880
Total births
1,997
Total since 1880
Peak year
2014
83 births
in 2023
80
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+16%
↗
vs previous 5 years