Contribute your knowledge to the name Siobhan

Comments and insights on the name Siobhan

As a teenager of the 80's, I chose my future daughter's name from Siobhan Fahey of the girl group "Bananarama". I was reading about the group in a "Star Hits" magazine as a teenager, and I thought, "That's a pretty name! I think I'll name my firstborn daughter that!" So, 23 years later...

Personal experiences with the name Siobhan

I'm probably the only latin american called siobhan I think my name is quite amazing its unique and it is irish

Everyone my daughter meets says that Siobhan is a beautiful name. I even took her to meet actor William Katt, and he also said she had a beautiful name. In fact, he signed a photo for her with this: "Siobhan - that is a beautiful name - Believe it or not" William Katt "Ralph" ;)

Nicknames for Siobhan

Bonnie, Bon, Bon-Bon, Shiba, Sushi, Shy/Shi, Shiverin, Shivers, Von, Sio, Siobhany, Oba, Han, Sib, Sob, Vannie, Vonnie, Shove, Shiv, Shivsy, Shaboom, Sheboygen, Cinnabon, Shavv, Shavvy, Si o b han, Shavv-Shavv

My mother wanted to call my daughter "Vonnie" for short, but never did. She succumbed to Siobhan! Sometimes when I'm just being silly with her, I'll call her "shavonny-bonnie". :)

My best friend is called Siobhán. We all call her Shivers. I'm from Ireland though and its a really popular name. Another really pretty Irish name is Aisling (pronounced like Ashley but with a '-ing' instead of a 'ee' sound). Its Irish for dreamer!
)

If I had this name or knew someone with it, I'd use the nickname Sadie.

My friend Siobhan is called Bon-Bon.

My friend is named Siobhan and we call we Shavvy <3 u shavv

Meanings and history of the name Siobhan

I've heard different translations. All say that it's Gaelic, but one translation says it means "Gift of God"; one says "God is gracious", and one says that it is a Gaelic form of "Joan". I am a Siobhan myself for almost 40 years and I have found out from my uncle Daniel Patrick a professor of Irish Studies and the Gaelic Language at a university in Derry, Norn Iron. He explained that the name dates back to the 12th century and does mean god is good or gracious. It was the name given to one of the daughters of a high cheiftain (forgot which one)and grew from there. In it's anglicized form it means Joan not Jean or Jehanne as some sites say because Jean is the anglicized version of Sinead another beautiful Irish name. By the way a good nickname is Shevronne that is the one my mom used when she needed a favour. I wish it was more popular in the states, I have had mail issues ever since I came here.

Second opinion: I read recently that Siobhán was actually equated with Joan (and "God is Gracious" as a result) after English influence in Ireland (don't know the exact history), but that its origin and meaning pre-date that. It supposedly comes from "sidh" meaning fairy, + "bean" or "bán" meaning woman or white, respectively. Actually comes from the same roots as banshee (bean sidh). Thus, Siobhán can also mean "fairy woman" or "white fairy".

Famous real-life people named Siobhan

Siobhán McKenna, actress (she played Jesus' mother Mary in the movie "King of Kings")
Siobhan Fahey, singer (from "Bananarama" - which probably explains why the name peaked in the U.S. in the mid-80's)
Siobhan Magnus, singer (American Idol 9th season finalist)
Siobhan Allgood (Hell's Kitchen 7th season contestant)
Siobhan Fallon-Hogan (actress, has appeared in Seinfeld, Forrest Gump, Holes, MIB and many other shows)
Siobhan McDonagh, British Labour MP

Siobhan in song, story & screen

Character in "Breaking Dawn" ("Twilight" Series) by Stephanie Meyer. There is also a song by the band The Tossers called "Siobhan" and the lyrics are loads of craic!!! I am a Siobhan so I can say that!!! :)

Siobhan McKenna, character from ABC's General Hospital; played by actress Erin Chambers.

"Sister Siobhan" - a nun working at a Catholic mission in Africa in the movie "Tears of the Sun".

Siobhan, one of the twins from the TV show "Ringer".