Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Siobhan
GirlIrish, Hebrew· “Irish form of Joan, God is gracious”
- Meaning
- Irish form of Joan, God is gracious
- Origin
- Irish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- shih-VAWN
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,096
- US babies 2025
- 90
- Best rank
- #629 (1979)
- Peak year
- 1980
Meaning and origin of Siobhan
Siobhan is an Irish and Hebrew name that means “Irish form of Joan, God is gracious”.
Siobhan is the Irish form of Joan, which comes from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning God is gracious. The name came to Ireland through the Norman Jehanne and developed its Gaelic spelling, Siobhán. It is said shih-VAWN, with the bh making a v sound, a spelling that often surprises English speakers. Siobhan has been popular in Ireland for centuries and has spread through the Irish diaspora. Actress Siobhan McKenna was a well-known bearer. The name has a lyrical, distinctly Irish character. Chevonne and Shevaun are phonetic spellings.
Popularity over time
Siobhan first appears in US Social Security records in 1956. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 9 different years, starting in 1979. Its best national rank was #629 in 1979, and the most babies received it in 1980, when 282 were named Siobhan. In 2025, 90 babies were named Siobhan, and it ranked #2,096 nationally. That is 61% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #649 in 1980, #1,646 in 2000, #2,449 in 2010, and #2,096 in 2025. Of the 7,399 US girls named Siobhan since records began, 28% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 1,334 babies. Since 2010, 1,091 more have been named Siobhan.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cristin, Lashanda, Jessi, Mellissa, and Shavonne.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Siobhan ranked highest in Illinois, Washington, and Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #1222 | 7 |
| Washington | #1226 | 5 |
| Virginia | #1354 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | #1376 | 6 |
| New York | #1639 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Siobhan is usually pronounced shih-VAWN, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with S and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Siobhan
A few middle names that flow with Siobhan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Siobhan
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Lists that include Siobhan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Siobhan mean?
Siobhan is an Irish and Hebrew name that means “Irish form of Joan, God is gracious”.
What is the origin of the name Siobhan?
Siobhan has Irish and Hebrew roots. Siobhan is the Irish form of Joan, which comes from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning God is gracious.
Is Siobhan a popular name?
Not especially. Siobhan ranked #2,096 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Siobhan a boy or girl name?
Siobhan is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Siobhan?
Siobhan is usually pronounced shih-VAWN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings