Ciaran Heffernan

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Ciaran Heffernan — little dark one
200K People worldwide
Ireland Most common in
1995s Peak popularity
Gender
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Ciaran Heffernan is a name that combines Celtic origins. The first name Ciaran is a masculine given name of Celtic origin. From Irish Gaelic Ciarán, meaning 'little dark one' (ciar=dark). Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise founded one of Ireland's greatest monasteries. The surname Heffernan: Heffernan is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hIfearnáin, which comes from the byname Ifearnán literally meaning 'little demon' or more metaphorically 'daredevil'. Heffernan gives rise to alternatives such as Heffernon and Hefferan. The name sometimes contains the O' prefix. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Heffermans were the chiefly family of the Uaithni who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC. Ciaran is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 200K people globally, with the highest concentration in Ireland. The name Ciaran reached peak popularity in the 1995s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Ciaran

Meaning: little dark one

Celtic

From Irish Gaelic Ciarán, meaning 'little dark one' (ciar=dark). Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise founded one of Ireland's greatest monasteries.

Surname: Heffernan

Celtic

Heffernan is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hIfearnáin, which comes from the byname Ifearnán literally meaning 'little demon' or more metaphorically 'daredevil'. Heffernan gives rise to alternatives such as Heffernon and Hefferan. The name sometimes contains the O' prefix. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Heffermans were the chiefly family of the Uaithni who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Ciaran is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

Ireland 54%
United Kingdom 38%
Australia 8%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Ciaran by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Name Variants & Related Names

The name Ciaran has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:

  • Kieran
  • Kiran
  • Ciarán

Notable People Named Ciaran Heffernan

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Ciaran Heffernan:

6
Expression Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

22
Soul Urge Number

Master Builder (Master Number 22). Combines grand vision with the practical ability to achieve lasting, large-scale goals.

11
Personality Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Ciaran?
The first name Ciaran originates from Celtic. From Irish Gaelic Ciarán, meaning 'little dark one' (ciar=dark). Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise founded one of Ireland's greatest monasteries.
When was Ciaran most popular?
The name Ciaran reached its peak popularity during the 1995s.
What is the origin of the surname Heffernan?
The surname Heffernan originates from Celtic. Heffernan is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó hIfearnáin, which comes from the byname Ifearnán literally meaning 'little demon' or more metaphorically 'daredevil'. Heffernan gives rise to alternatives such as Heffernon and Hefferan. The name sometimes contains the O' prefix. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Heffermans were the chiefly family of the Uaithni who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC.
How common is the surname Heffernan?
The surname Heffernan is shared by approximately 7K people worldwide.
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