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Kiran

Girl / Boy name · 72 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kiran: 72 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 6 births in 1991.

Kiran is a name with rich roots in both Sanskrit and Gaelic traditions. In Sanskrit, it means "ray of light" or "sunbeam," while in Scottish Gaelic it is a variant of Ciaran, meaning "little dark one" or "dark-haired." The name is shared by several notable figures, including Indian actor Kiran Kher and Scottish footballer Kiran Lofthouse. The Indian city of Kiranur shares the same Sanskrit root, meaning "place of light." A further note: Kiran is a unisex name in India but is predominantly masculine in Scotland, where it has been used steadily since the 1970s, often as a modern alternative to the traditional Ciaran.