WDYT of Siobhan?

kle0113 · July 2011

My husband and I threw out this name last night and we both like it, but are not sure. We all have Irish names (but are not Irish), but we want to keep with the Irish names.

This baby's full name would be: Siobhan Reid (Reid is a family name on my husbands). Regardless if this child is a boy or girl the middle name will be Reid.

magsugar13 · July 2011

This has been a favorite ofmine since i was very young. I love it!

plunderb · July 2011

I like it.

Of all the Irish names with incomprehensible spellings, this is one of the most familiar, so I think lots of people will be able to pronounce it.

clover2007 · July 2011

it's my sister's name--LOVE it! Yes

Rach21 · July 2011

plunderb:
I like it.
Of all the Irish names with incomprehensible spellings, this is one of the most familiar, so I think lots of people will be able to pronounce it.

I disagree. Siobhan might be popular for people who are clued in to how Irish names are pronounced, but you're going to get a lot of "See-oh-BAN"s from the general population.

LaComtesse · July 2011

It's a fine name, but I've never been a fan, personally.

plunderb · July 2011

Rach21:
plunderb:
I like it.
Of all the Irish names with incomprehensible spellings, this is one of the most familiar, so I think lots of people will be able to pronounce it.
I disagree. Siobhan might be popular for people who are clued in to how Irish names are pronounced, but you're going to get a lot of "See-oh-BAN"s from the general population.

At least that's sort of close-ish. Better than Niamh or Aoibheann.

slukd79 · July 2011

While familiar to a baby name board, I still see this name being difficult for the general population to pronounce or spell. For me thats enough reason to not use it-- but others feel differently. If you are OK having to correct or explain the name in most situations, then go for it!

QueenLouie · July 2011

i think its a beautiful name and i don't think you should have to change your name choice just because others are ignorant to correct pronunciation- I have heard the name Siobhan quite a few times and would never think that it was pronounced see-oh-ban (i would hope anyone with a proper education wouldn't think it was pronounced that way either)- i think a few years back there was a girl on american idol named Siobhan so it is not like it is a name that no one has ever heard before- it is a GREAT name, its very original without being made up and wacky- it is a REAL name, most of the "unique" names these days are strange combinations of chopped up names or made up combinations of letters that are simply awful, i say go for it!

QueenLouie · July 2011

my name is Joan, a simple and plain easy name and people call me JoAnne or June all the time, or if they see my nickname written as Joanie people call me johnny or jeanie- (makes no sense to me but it happens frequently) people are going to mispronounce names no matter how basic they are, we can't name every child sue and jack and kate just so people won't mispronounce their names- when people mispronounce my name i only have to correct them once and then they remember- and people spell my name wrong all the time- its really not that annoying, its a part of life. The majority of people in the baby's life are going to hear the name before they see it written out anyway-I think what would be more annoying would be having a name that kids make fun of, this isn't that kind of name, it is a beautiful old name that is making a come back, i love it!!

kle0113 · July 2011

QueenLouie:
my name is Joan, a simple and plain easy name and people call me JoAnne or June all the time, or if they see my nickname written as Joanie people call me johnny or jeanie- (makes no sense to me but it happens frequently) people are going to mispronounce names no matter how basic they are, we can't name every child sue and jack and kate just so people won't mispronounce their names- when people mispronounce my name i only have to correct them once and then they remember- and people spell my name wrong all the time- its really not that annoying, its a part of life. The majority of people in the baby's life are going to hear the name before they see it written out anyway-I think what would be more annoying would be having a name that kids make fun of, this isn't that kind of name, it is a beautiful old name that is making a come back, i love it!!

Thank you! My mom's name is Carolyn and she gets Caroline all the time. Also, I have to correct people with my daughters name already. I really don't have a problem correcting people.

Thanks all for your opinions!

gimmietimmies · July 2011

ITA with QueenLouie. A good friend of mine is Siubhan, and rarely has to correct people. As she tells me, you only tell them once and people remember since it's unique, but in a good way. FWIW, this was on of my top contenders, along with Fiona (another good friend). The only reason we didn't was to avoid hurt feelings from the family (none of our dk first names are in honour of anyone).

If you love the name go for it!

Mrkyrain · July 2011

One of my friends in high school had a younger sister with this name. It's a lovely name but still to this day, I forget how to say it. If reminding people doesn't bother you, then go for it.

Moneypenny424 · July 2011

I like the name and I agree, of the crazy spelling Irish names, this one is the most easily identifiable. I think it is a nice name and I like it with this spelling. Sure, there are many people who won't be able to pronounce it at first, but heck, my name is Gillian and I've been getting called GILL-ian (with a hard G) my whole life. You just correct people and move on Big Smile

. I like that my name is the traditional spelling, so I vote to go that route for Siobhan too!

xtencornfield · July 2011

Great name, it's my future SIL's name. I agree with pp's that said not to worry too much about pronunciations. My name is Kristen, pretty straightforward and fairly common IMO, but I get Karen (WTF?), Christian, Kirsten, Christine, etc all the time. I've found that there are just people out there who are ignorant and/or lazy when it comes to correct pronunciation, doesn't matter what the name is.

schnappycat · July 2011

As much as I like and appreciate Irish names in general, this is one that I have never liked at all. I just don't like the way it's pronounced. It looks cool, but when I hear it, I immediately picture a heavyset, middle-aged African American woman named Shavonne. Makes no sense, but that is what I think.

Sorry! I love so many other Irish names, though!

ames71 · July 2011

Great name... love it!

Also, it takes two seconds to tell someone how to pronounce a name. It's really not that big of a deal.

SpruceGrouse · July 2011

I really like it but I tend to love Gaelic names. Siobhan Reid goes really well together.

LaurenSweat · July 2011

QueenLouie:
I have heard the name Siobhan quite a few times and would never think that it was pronounced see-oh-ban (i would hope anyone with a proper education wouldn't think it was pronounced that way either)

I have never heard this name before and I would not know how to pronounce it. FWIW I would consider myself as having had a "proper" education. I don't think it is instinctive for english speakers to pronounce "sio" as "shuh" when it falls at the beginning of a word. I do pronounce "sio" is as shuh in words like immersion and confusion, but there seems to be very limited words with this combination.

Having never seen this name written before I would pronounce it as Sy-oh-Bahn.

kle0113 · July 2011

Here is the name and meaning from Behind the Name

SIOBHAN

Gender: Feminine

Usage: Irish

Pronounced: shi-VAWN [key]

Irish form of Jehanne, a Norman French variant of JEANNE

MarSamWhitney · July 2011

I will admit, I have never heard/ seen this name, and I am positive I would butcher it. lol

slukd79 · July 2011

QueenLouie:

i think its a beautiful name and i don't think you should have to change your name choice just because others are ignorant to correct pronunciation- I have heard the name Siobhan quite a few times and would never think that it was pronounced see-oh-ban (i would hope anyone with a proper education wouldn't think it was pronounced that way either)- i think a few years back there was a girl on american idol named Siobhan so it is not like it is a name that no one has ever heard before- it is a GREAT name, its very original without being made up and wacky- it is a REAL name, most of the "unique" names these days are strange combinations of chopped up names or made up combinations of letters that are simply awful, i say go for it!

FWIW, I think its possible to have a "proper" education and not pronounce this name correctly... Stick out tongue

Froggy76 · July 2011

I know how this name is pronounced, I spent a semester in Ireland, and yet I still say it wrong in my head. It just looks nothing like the pronounciation and I don't know why you'd use it unless you have some ties to the name or to Irish culture. There are plenty of other, more mainstream Irish names that won't be butchered your child's whole life.

And yes, people butcher every name, but if you have a more common name it happens much less often. I'm an Elizabeth ("Liz") and I've been called Lisa, Lynn, etc... but the vast majority of the time people get my name right.

robynlesley · July 2011

I like it. You'll have to tell people how to pronounce it, though. Otherwise a very nice name.

ReniaB · July 2011

Not a fan. I've never know how to pronounce it correctly.

HannahO28 · July 2011

when I was in middle school, I had a friend who's MN was Siobhan and she used to be so snotty about it. She wouldn't tell us how it was pronounced and would laugh at anyone who got it wrong and tell us we were stupid because it was really EASY to pronounce.

...so...I kind of still have a bad taste in my mouth about the name. But I do think it has a lovely sound, and if you don't mind (politely!) correcting people, and teaching your daughter to do the same, go for it

718gemini · July 2011

Love it.

globetrotting7 · July 2011

Cute name, but I wouldn't know how to pronounce it and I speak three languages fluently and have two master's degrees. I don't think that not knowing how a name is pronounced has anything to do with high intelligence, just familiarity with the language.

jiffy-pop · July 2011

I'm not a huge fan just because there won't be a whole lot of people that will pronounce it correctly unfortunately. I wouldn't have known until I became a part of this board almost 2 yrs ago.

couliegirl · July 2011

I also am a "properly" educated and very intelligent woman, but would have had no idea how to pronounce that name. Also, my name is Erin, which should be very simple for others to be able to spell, but my long hair and breasts don't give away the fact that I am a woman and not an "Aaron." Also, my maiden name is German and apparently impossible to spell/say. Please consider the lifetime of inconvenience that you are giving your child. I have had to spell my whole name my whole life and it gets really annoying (my married name isn't much better). Also, I'm full blooded German and have had people try to fight with me that i must be Irish because of my name and my red hair. Ughhhh.

jallascalla · July 2011

My name is Siobhan, and I grew up here in the US. I would not expect anyone to know how to pronounce it (regardless of education), but pronunciation has never been a big deal for me. I've loved having the name and have had great experiences with it. I am C&Ping a response I gave to another post about this name because I am too lazy to re-type...

Yes, you will have to explain the name and the pronunciation, but it has always led to interesting conversations. When I was a teenager I was a waitress in a restaurant where we had to wear name tags -- and I had the best time with my customers who were fascinated/intrigued by the name. My friends were convinced I got the best tips because of my name -- it is all in the way you deal with it. Teachers learn it after the first day, so do doctor's offices (or at least they put the pronunciation on your medical file).

Irish people (and almost everyone in America has some claim to Irish relatives) love to hear about it, where my family is from, etc. I also love when I meet people who know it and they insist on spelling it for me, then they tell me that they went to school with/worked with/had a patient with my name. It is funny how people are so proud that they can spell it, I always tell them I am really impressed.

lintscreen · July 2011

I wouldn't have known how to pronounce it either. I actually thought it was a boy's name just by looking at it.

love_melongtime · July 2011

Rach21:
plunderb:

I like it.

Of all the Irish names with incomprehensible spellings, this is one of the most familiar, so I think lots of people will be able to pronounce it.

I disagree. Siobhan might be popular for people who are clued in to how Irish names are pronounced, but you're going to get a lot of "See-oh-BAN"s from the general population.

This, exactly.

abell77 · July 2011

I love it for a girl. Yes, it is a name that is difficult for most people to spell, but that is because it is a traditional Irish name, not a made up name.

MAMAxB · July 2011

I have no idea how to pronounce this name

At first glance.. I thought the 'i' was a 'L' and it was SLOBhan.

Really really dislike

WashingtonQueen · July 2011

I love love love it!

FMIL&MOB · July 2011

I must be the only one watching General Hospital. They have a character who married Lucky and her name is Siobhan.

Fancy3Face · July 2011

This was almost my name. They had a name picked out for every hair/eye color combo. Siobhan was for the red head combo and I came out with a helmet of black hair.

I love the name! It might be one of those you have to spell/pronounce frequently, but if you don't mind that I say go for it.

alandals · July 2011

Yuck

oliversbear · July 2011

I like it. I think it's a great name for a girl. It would be on my shortlist for a girl, but for the fact that it sounds horrid to me with my last name.

As for pronunciation, my BFF worked in Ireland for a few years, and DH's good friend from high school, who lives in Ireland with her Irish husband, named her little girl Siobhan. Both of them pronounce it "Show-Van" so that is how I pronounce it.

n&bcarlson · July 2011

I think the names go together nicely and if you like it, you should use it. But I will say that even after a "proper" education that included 2 masters degrees, and several years working for two UK based companies, I still had to ask an Irish coworker a couple years ago how this name was actually pronounced. But once you know how it's pronounced, it's pretty.

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