Siobhan

Siobhan ( /ʃᵻˈvɔːn/ shi-VAWN) is a female given name of Irish origin. Its correct Irish spelling is Siobhán ([ʃəˈvˠaːn̪ˠ] or [ˈʃɪwaːn̪ˠ]). The most common anglicizations are Shevaun and Shivaun.

Contents

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• Fictional characters
• Diminutive
• References

It is derived from the Anglo-Norman Jehane and Jehanne (Modern French Jeanne) which were introduced into Ireland by the Anglo-Normans in the Middle Ages.

The name is thus a cognate of the English Joan, derived from the Latin Ioanna and Iohanna (modern English Joanna, Joanne), which are in turn from the Greek Iōanna. This Greek name is a feminine form of the Greek Iōannēs, which is in turn a shortened form of the Hebrew Johanan (יוֹחָנָן Yôḥānān, a shortened form of יְהוֹחָנָן Yəhôḥānān), meaning 'God is gracious', and origin of the masculine name John and its cognates.

The popularity of the actress Siobhán McKenna (1923–1986) helped the resurgence of the name in the twentieth century.

The Scottish Gaelic form of the name is Siubhan (which is usually anglicised Judith).