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Kira

Girl name · 356 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kira: 356 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 28 births in 1997.

Rooted in multiple cultures, Kira is primarily a feminine name of Persian origin, where it means "sun" or "throne." It also appears in Russian as a diminutive of Kira (Кира), itself derived from the Greek *Kyria* ("lady" or "mistress"), while in Japanese it can mean "sparkle" or "shine." Among its notable bearers is Kira Knightley, the acclaimed English actress known for *Pirates of the Caribbean* and *Pride & Prejudice*, which brought the name modern recognition. A lesser-known but significant bearer is Kira von Preussen, a German princess of the House of Hohenzollern. The name shares a root with the Russian city of Kirov (formerly Vyatka), named after revolutionary Sergei Kirov. An interesting correlation: in Irish and Scottish contexts, Kira is sometimes used as an anglicised form of Ciara, keeping its melodic, two-syllable feel while offering a distinct spelling.