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Kerin

Girl name · 6 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kerin: 6 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2004.

Kerin is primarily an Irish and Scottish Gaelic anglicisation of the diminutive **Ciarán**, meaning "little dark one" or "little black-haired one," from the root *ciar* (dark, black). It can also be a variant of the Welsh name **Cerin**, meaning "love" or "dear." Among its notable bearers is **Kerin Freeman**, an English actress known for her work in classic BBC television dramas. The name shares its etymological root with the Irish saint **Ciarán of Clonmacnoise**, though no major cities bear the name directly. A further note: while Kerin is often considered a feminine form in modern Scotland—partly via resemblance to Karen—its Irish original, Ciarán, has always been predominantly masculine, making it a genuinely unisex choice with a soft, lyrical sound.