This list includes 21 Irish girl names that start with K, from “Kaitlin” to “Kira”. These names range from common anglicised forms to traditional Gaelic variants, useful for parents, writers, and genealogists.
Irish girl names that start with K are female given names used historically or in modern Ireland, including anglicised and Gaelic forms. Many reflect saints, mythic figures, or Gaelic word roots, with “Kaitlin” as a notable anglicised form of Caitlín.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Origin.
Name: The written form of each given name, so you can quickly scan and pick the spelling you prefer.
Pronunciation: A concise phonetic guide helps you say each name correctly and compare similar pronunciations at a glance.
Meaning: A short definition or origin note explains the name’s usual translation or the idea it evokes.
Origin: Shows whether the name is Gaelic, anglicised, mythological, or borrowed, helping you understand its cultural background.
Irish girl names that start with K
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Origin/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen | KATH-leen | pure (from Catherine) | Anglicised form of Irish Caitlín (Gaelic). Long-established in Ireland; variants Cathleen, Caitlín. |
| Katie | KAY-tee | Diminutive of Caitlín/”pure” | Pet form of Caitlín/Kathleen used in Ireland and English-speaking world. |
| Keira | KEE-ra | dark-haired or “black” (from ciar) | Anglicised spelling of Irish Ciara. Variants Kiera, Kiara, Keara. |
| Kiera | KEE-ra | dark-haired (from ciar) | Variant anglicisation of Irish Ciara; also spelled Keira, Kiara. |
| Kiara | KEE-ar-ə or KEE-ra | dark-haired (from ciar) | Anglicised variant of Ciara influenced by other languages; common in Ireland. |
| Keara | KEE-ra | dark-haired (from ciar) | Anglicised form of Ciara. Spelling Keara used in Ireland and diaspora. |
| Keeva | KEE-va | gentle, beautiful, precious | Anglicised form of Irish Caoimhe (pronounced KEE-va). |
| Keavy | KEE-vee | From Caoimhe, “gentle, beautiful” | Variant anglicisation of Caoimhe, especially in Ulster (Keavy, Keevy). |
| Keelin | KEE-lin | slender, fair (from caol) | Anglicised form of Irish Caoilín / Caolín (female). Variants Keelin, Caolín. |
| Keely | KEE-lee | Possibly “slender” or from Caol- elements | Anglicised given name derived from Irish roots (Caol- elements) or from surname Ó Caollaidhe. |
| Keara (alternate entry) | KEER-ah or KEE-ra | dark-haired (from ciar) | Alternate anglicisation/spelling of Ciara used in Ireland and diaspora. |
| Kelly | KEL-ee | bright-headed / Ó Ceallaigh descendant | Originally an Irish surname (Ó Ceallaigh) now widely used as female given name. |
| Kellie | KEL-ee | From Ó Ceallaigh / diminutive of Kelly | Variant spelling of Kelly used as a feminine given name in Ireland and English-speaking countries. |
| Kerry | KEH-ree | From Ciarraí, “people of Ciar” (place-name) | Given name from the Irish county and tribal name Ciarraí; used for girls. |
| Kerri | KEH-ree | Variant of Kerry | Alternative spelling of Kerry used as a feminine given name. |
| Kinvara | kin-VAR-ə | From Cinn Mhara “head of the sea” | Place-name from County Galway (Cinn Mhara), used occasionally as a given name. |
| Kevina | keh-VEE-na | Feminine form of Caoimhín (Kevin): “gentle, kind” | Feminised form of Irish male name Caoimhín (Kevin), used sporadically. |
| Kaitlin | KATE-lin or KAYT-lin | Anglicised form of Caitlín/”pure” | Modern anglicised spelling of Irish Caitlín (Caitlín → Kaitlin/Kaitlyn). |
| Kaitlyn | KATE-lin or KAYT-lin | Anglicised form of Caitlín/”pure” | Modern variant spelling of Caitlín via Kaitlin; common in English-speaking countries. |
| Katelyn | KAYt-lin | Anglicised form of Caitlín/”pure” | Another modern K-spelling derived from Caitlín/Catherine via anglicisation. |
| Kira | KEE-ra | Often used as variant of Ciara/”dark-haired” | Used in Ireland as an alternative K-spelling for Ciara, though Kira has multiple origins. |
Descriptions
Kathleen
Classic anglicised Irish name from Caitlín; very common in 19th–20th century Ireland and among the Irish diaspora.
Katie
Friendly, informal short form of Kathleen/Caitlín; popular as a given name in modern Ireland and abroad.
Keira
One of the most popular K-starting Irish names; widely used in Ireland and internationally, often spelled Keira or Kiera.
Kiera
Common alternative spelling to Keira, frequently used by families seeking an Irish-rooted K spelling.
Kiara
Popular modern spelling in Ireland and abroad; often pronounced like Keira, occasionally as KEE-AH-ra.
Keara
Less common variant of Keira/Kiara, used by parents wanting a clear K initial while keeping Irish roots.
Keeva
Direct K-spelling of Caoimhe; retains original meaning “gentle, beautiful” and is widely recognised in modern Ireland.
Keavy
A regional spelling of Caoimhe’s anglicisation, heard in Northern Ireland and among families using K spellings.
Keelin
Feminine name from caol “slender”; used across Ireland as a given name with K spelling.
Keely
Popular female given name in Ireland and the UK; short, modern-sounding with Gaelic roots.
Keara (alternate entry)
Occasionally chosen for clearer pronunciation while keeping an Irish origin.
Kelly
Surname-turned-given-name of clear Irish origin; common internationally as a female name.
Kellie
Modern feminine form of the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, often chosen for its softer, given-name feel.
Kerry
Place-name given name with Irish roots; evokes County Kerry and western Irish heritage.
Kerri
A familiar K-starting form of Kerry, popular in late 20th century Ireland and abroad.
Kinvara
Uncommon literary/place-inspired name with distinctly Irish coastal imagery.
Kevina
Used as a feminine counterpart to Kevin (Caoimhín); less common but attested in Irish usage.
Kaitlin
Contemporary K-spelling of the Irish Caitlín; widely used internationally and by Irish families preferring K.
Kaitlyn
Popular modern spelling of the Irish-rooted Caitlín, especially among younger generations.
Katelyn
Common modern name with Irish roots through Caitlín; blends traditional origin with contemporary spelling.
Kira
Short, international-sounding variant sometimes adopted in Ireland as a K-form of Ciara; note other non-Irish origins exist.