Ciarra

Meaning of Ciarra

Ciarra is a feminine given name of Irish origin, presenting a variant spelling of Ciara. It derives from the Old Irish ciar, meaning “dark” or “black-haired,” a semantic domain that underscores classical Gaelic lineage. Phonologically, the Irish form is realized as /kˌiˈrə/ (KEER-uh), whereas in Anglo-American contexts it typically emerges as /siˌeɪrə/ (see-AIR-uh), occasionally provoking a momentary pause among unfamiliar speakers and quietly testing orthographic intuition. New York State birth records from 1986 to 2008 reveal a modest but stable presence, with five to sixteen occurrences per year and a peak rank of 221 in 2005, generally hovering in the mid-230s. Analytically, Ciarra occupies a niche intersection of Celtic heritage and contemporary naming trends, offering historical resonance alongside moderate distinctiveness.