Find out how popular the first name Kierin has been for the last 23 years (from 1995 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kierin by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Kierin is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 69% of people named Kierin being male.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kierin.

The history of the first name Kierin

The name Kierin originates from the Irish Gaelic language and has its roots in the medieval era. It is believed to be a variant spelling of the name Ciaran, which is derived from the Old Irish word "ciar," meaning "black" or "dark." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.

The name Ciaran gained popularity in Ireland due to its association with Saint Ciaran, a renowned Irish abbot and monastic founder who lived in the 6th century. He established the influential monastery of Clonmacnoise in present-day County Offaly, Ireland, which became a significant center of learning and religious life during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kierin can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The entry from the year 1137 mentions a man named Kierin O'Rourke, who was described as a prominent leader and chieftain in the region of Leitrim, Ireland.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kierin. One such figure was Kierin Fitzpatrick (c. 1350-1418), an Irish nobleman and lord of Upper Ossory, a territory located in present-day County Laois, Ireland. He was known for his involvement in the ongoing conflicts between the Anglo-Norman settlers and the native Irish clans during the late 14th and early 15th centuries.

Another notable bearer of the name was Kierin O'Donoghue (c. 1580-1649), a celebrated Irish poet and storyteller from County Cork. His works, including poems and tales, contributed significantly to the preservation of Irish cultural heritage and oral traditions during a tumultuous period in Irish history.

In the 18th century, Kierin Murphy (1709-1785) was a prominent Irish-born architect who worked extensively in England. He is particularly known for his design of the Radcliffe Camera, a iconic building at the University of Oxford, completed in 1749.

More recently, Kierin Meenan (1906-1994) was an Irish republican and political activist. He played a significant role in the Irish revolutionary period, serving as a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and later as a politician in the Northern Irish government.

Throughout the centuries, the name Kierin has maintained a strong presence in Irish culture and history, reflecting its roots in the Gaelic language and its association with notable individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kierin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kierin, please contact us.

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