Siobhan is a female given name of Irish origin and meaning "God is gracious". It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Síobhán", which consists of the elements "sí" meaning "God" and "bhán" meaning "fair, white".
The name Siobhan has been popular among Irish families for centuries and has a rich history in Irish literature and folklore. In fact, one of the most famous characters named Siobhan is in the Irish play "The Seagull" by Anton Chekhov, where she is portrayed as a young actress with great talent but limited opportunities.
In recent years, the name Siobhan has gained popularity outside of Ireland due to its unique sound and spelling. It has been used by celebrities such as the actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan and the singer-songwriter Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, who goes by the stage name "Sia". Despite its growing popularity, however, the name remains relatively uncommon compared to other names with Irish origins.
Overall, the name Siobhan is a beautiful and meaningful choice for parents looking for an unique and culturally significant name for their daughter. Its Irish origins and powerful meaning make it a name that is sure to stand out while also honoring the rich history of Ireland's cultural heritage.
The name Siobhan peaked in popularity between the late 1950s and early 1960s, with a significant increase from 58 births in 1956 to a peak of 104 births in 1966. After this period, the number of babies named Siobhan began to decline steadily until the late 1970s when it started to rise again, reaching another peak in the early 1980s with 282 births in 1980 and 234 births in 1985. However, since then, the popularity of the name Siobhan has continued to decline, with only 33 births recorded in 2017 and 100 births each in 2021 and 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 7204 babies named Siobhan from 1956 to 2023.