Siobhán

Siobhán is a female Irish given name pronounced 'shi-VAWN' (IPAEng|ʃəˈvɔːn). It is ultimately derived from Hebrew words which meant "God is gracious". Alternative spellings of Siobhán include Siavon, Siobhan, Siobhain, Siobhann, Siobhon, Siovhan, Shivaune, Shivaun, Shavon, Sioban, Shivonne, Shvaugn, Shvaughn, Shavaughn, Shavaugn, Shavone and Chevonne. Its English equivalent is Joan.

Siobhán is derived from the French name Jeanne [ cite web|url=http://www.behindthename.com/name/siobhan |title=Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Siobhan |accessdate=2008-06-15 |publisher=Behind the Name ] , the feminine form of Jean (which is derived from the Hebrew language). It was introduced to Ireland when the Normans ruled the country. The name fell out of use when the Penal Laws outlawed the use of the Irish language. Its popularity increased in the mid twentieth century, along with many other Irish names like Áine and Aoife. The popularity of the actress Siobhán McKenna (1923-1986) also helped the resurgence of the name.

People

*Siobhan Brooks, sociologist
*Siobhan Chamberlain, female footballer
*Siobhan Creaton, journalist
*Siobhan Davies, dancer with the London Contemporary Dance Theatre
*Siobhan Dillon, a game show contestant
*Siobhan Dowd, writer
*Siobhan Fahey, a singer who was a member of Bananarama and Shakespears Sister ["sic"]
*Siobhan Fallon Hogan, American actress
*Siobhan Finneran, actress
*Siobhan Hayes, actress
*Siobhan Karam, ice dancer
*Siobhan MacGowan, singer
*Siobhan Maher Kennedy, singer
*Siobhan Marshall, actress
*Siobhan McColl, figure skater
*Siobhan McGarry, television presenter
*Siobhan Meow, transsexual Wack Pack member on "The Howard Stern Show"
*Siobhan Parekh, model
*Siobhan Parkinson, an author of several children's books, including "Kathleen: The Celtic Knot"
*Siobhan Paton, paralympic swimmer
*Siobhan Redmond, actress
*Siobhan de Maré, singer
*Siobhán Donaghy, a singer formerly of the Sugababes
*Siobhán McKenna, a Tony Award nominated actress who played Mary in the 1961 film "King of Kings"
*Siobhain McDonagh, a British Labour Member of Parliament
*Shivaune Christina, former Miss Australia

Other

*Siobhan, a Celtic Punk band from Ottawa, best known for obscenity-laced tirades against their audiences

References