Siobhan Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: shi-VAWN /ʃɪˈvɔːn/
Origin: Irish
Meaning: God is gracious
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Siobhan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name Siobhán, which is a diminutive form of the name Siobhán, itself a variant of the name Joan. The etymology traces back to the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious," which was translated into Greek as Ioannes and subsequently into Latin as Johannes.
The name made its way into Old French as Jehan, before evolving into the various forms we see in modern languages, including Siobhan in Irish contexts. This linguistic journey highlights the name's deep roots in religious and cultural history, particularly within Christian traditions.
Historically, Siobhan has been associated with notable figures in Irish history and literature. One of the earliest references can be traced to the 12th century, where the name appears in various forms in Irish annals.
The name gained further prominence through its association with Saint Joan of Arc, whose legacy influenced the adoption of Joan and its variants across Europe, including Siobhan in Ireland. The name has also been featured in significant literary works, contributing to its cultural resonance.
The 17th-century translation of the Bible into Irish further solidified the name's presence in Irish culture, as it was often used in religious contexts. Culturally, Siobhan carries connotations of grace and beauty, reflecting its meaning and historical significance.
The name is often linked to themes of strength and resilience, particularly in Irish folklore and mythology. Its enduring presence in Irish literature and music has helped maintain its relevance over the centuries.
The diminutive form, Siobhán, is commonly used in familial and affectionate contexts, further embedding the name within the cultural fabric of Ireland. Overall, Siobhan embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical milestones, and cultural significance that underscores its lasting legacy.
Famous people named Siobhan
In this section, you will find notable people named Siobhan. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Siobhan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Siobhan who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Siobhan Fahey is a singer and songwriter best known for her work with Bananarama and Shakespears Sister.
Siobhan Finneran is an actress best known for her roles in Downton Abbey, Happy Valley, and The Other One.
Siobhan Donaghy is a singer and songwriter best known for her work with Sugababes and her solo album Ghosts.
Fictional characters named Siobhan
The following list of fictional characters named Siobhan is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Siobhan is a fictional character from the TV series The Fall. She is a detective who plays a crucial role in the investigation of a serial killer in Belfast.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Siobhan, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Siobhan. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Siobhan was first seen in the United States in 1956.
Siobhan has ranked as high as #839 nationally, which occurred in 1980, and has been most popular in New York, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Siobhan has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Siobhan is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Siobhan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Siobhan (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NJ | 9 | |
| NY | 9 | |
| TX | 8 | |
| PA | 7 | |
| VA | 7 | |
| CA | 7 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Siobhan.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 103 |
| 2023 | 102 |
| 2022 | 84 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2020 | 64 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2018 | 44 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2016 | 52 |
| 2015 | 56 |
| 2014 | 54 |
| 2013 | 69 |
| 2012 | 64 |
| 2011 | 52 |
| 2010 | 77 |
| 2009 | 62 |
| 2008 | 50 |
| 2007 | 57 |
| 2006 | 61 |
| 2005 | 64 |
| 2004 | 71 |
| 2003 | 108 |
| 2002 | 91 |
| 2001 | 86 |
| 2000 | 108 |
| 1999 | 107 |
| 1998 | 119 |
| 1997 | 139 |
| 1996 | 138 |
| 1995 | 119 |
| 1994 | 113 |
| 1993 | 133 |
| 1992 | 159 |
| 1991 | 162 |
| 1990 | 145 |
| 1989 | 169 |
| 1988 | 155 |
| 1987 | 183 |
| 1986 | 192 |
| 1985 | 234 |
| 1984 | 226 |
| 1983 | 203 |
| 1982 | 228 |
| 1981 | 214 |
| 1980 | 282 |
| 1979 | 277 |
| 1978 | 118 |
| 1977 | 77 |
| 1976 | 68 |
| 1975 | 58 |
| 1974 | 65 |
| 1973 | 73 |
| 1972 | 75 |
| 1971 | 102 |
| 1970 | 83 |
| 1969 | 82 |
| 1968 | 82 |
| 1967 | 86 |
| 1966 | 104 |
| 1965 | 97 |
| 1964 | 78 |
| 1963 | 78 |
| 1962 | 75 |
| 1961 | 98 |
| 1960 | 90 |
| 1959 | 86 |
| 1958 | 54 |
| 1957 | 67 |
| 1956 | 58 |