In an interview with* Elle*, the 29-year-old explained her dad wanted to name her Kiera, after a Russian ice skater, but her mum got it all wrong.
“I was meant to be named Kiera, after a Russian ice skater who was on the TV one day,” she said.
“My dad fancied her and nicked her name for me. But it was my mum who went to register my birth and she accidentally spelled ‘ei’ instead of ‘ie’ because my mum’s crap at spelling…”
According to the Pirates Of The Caribbean star her dad was furious and said: “What the f**k? You’ve spelt her name wrong!” She added: “What were they going to do, though? Once it’s on the piece of paper, it’s on the piece of paper. And that’s me. A spelling error.”
The name Keira is actually the feminine of the Gaelic name Kieran – which means dusky and dark-haired.
Pretty fitting really, it could have been so much worse Keira. We've all read about that Nutella story this week...
The full interview with Keira is in Elle Magazine, on sale from 29 January.
Before the stylist: Keira Knightley
1 of 204th April 2001
Poor Keira got stuck modelling her fellow textile students' designs
2 of 2012th April 2002
We're quite glad this picture stops above the waist. We see a scary bit of embellishment peeking through on these trews...
3 of 2016th September 2002
Ahhh, those midriff-showing tops from the '00s. Not the wisest fashion choice we (or Keira) ever made...
4 of 2028th June 2003
Got a stain down your new top? Just wrap some loo roll round your boobs and you're good to go
5 of 2031st May 2007
Lucky Keira! It looks like Andrew Lloyd-Webber's been in touch about auditioning for Over The Rainbow
6 of 2021st July 2006
When you have to rely on a belt to hold up your dress, it's probably easier to just get the next size down
7 of 2011th October 2005
The material of this dress seems to have caused severe teabag-boob syndrome
8 of 2027th July 2005
Is this really the best outfit Keira could dig out for a Pride And Prejudice promo? Elizabeth Bennett would not be proud
9 of 209th May 2005
Is that belt REALLY necessary?
10 of 2023rd January 2005
Uh-oh. The Sundance Film Festival of 2005 was NOT a good time in KK's fashion life
11 of 2016th February 2005
Believe it or not, Matthew Williamson created this. But he didn't tell you to wear it Keira
12 of 2023rd January 2005
When we first saw this photo, we sincerely hoped it was a case of Keira getting a bit chilly on a film set and grabbing anything she could to keep cosy. It wasn't
13 of 2018th October 2004
Future tip Keira: matching your hair dye to your dress is never going to look great
14 of 2023rd January 2005
Auditioning to be an extra in Coyote Ugly, were we?
15 of 208th September 2004
Cold? Just wrap a tea towel around your neck
16 of 2028th June 2004
Long after B*Witched split up, Keira was still customising her denim
17 of 2015th July 2004
Lovely shape, cheap material
18 of 2014th July 2003
We think this is meant to be a corset. But with wings...
19 of 201st December 2003
This ensemble could kinda be classed as acceptable. But as for those boots? There's just no excuse
20 of 2016th November 2003
An entire outfit from a charity shop bargain bin. Good work, Knightley