A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Siobhan since 1956
Babies named Siobhan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 265 |
| 1960s | 869 |
| 1970s | 996 |
| 1980s | 2,086 |
| 1990s | 1,334 |
| 2000s | 758 |
| 2010s | 548 |
| 2020s | 543 |
Meaning & origin
Siobhan is the Irish Gaelic form of Joan, ultimately from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." First recorded in the U.S. in 1956, it reached its peak popularity in 1979. In 2025, it ranked 2076th with 1 in 18,859 baby girls receiving the name. It has been rising in use since 2018, and was most popular in Washington, Illinois, and Virginia during the 1970s revival. The spelling reflects Irish orthography, where 's' before a slender vowel is pronounced 'sh,' and 'bh' makes a 'v' sound. Despite its exotic appearance to non-Irish speakers, it has a familiar sound and has been adopted widely. The name remains distinct, avoiding the top 1000 while maintaining steady use.
Siobhan is the Irish Gaelic form of Joan, itself derived from the Old French Jehanne, ultimately from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning "God is gracious." The name has been used in Ireland since at least the Middle Ages, and its popularity surged in the English-speaking world during the 20th century.
Where Siobhan is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Siobhan” around the world
Where Siobhan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Si, Shiv
Variants: Shivaughn, Shivawn
Sibling names for Siobhan
Names that share Siobhan's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aoife, Niamh, Caoimhe, Maeve, Saoirse, Brenna, Bridgette, Bridgit, Brigette, Brigid, Brigit, Cailin, Catrina, Deidra, Deidre, Deirdre, Erin, Leigha, Moira, Rosaleen, Tara, Aislin, Ceara, Ciana, Diedre, Erynn, Mairead, Neve, Oona, Rheanna, Sinead, Teagen, Treasa, Ailin, Ailish, Allanah, Bridgid, Bridgitte, Briget, Brigett, Brighid, Caitrin, Chevonne, Darra, Deirdra, Dierdre, Eily, Fionna, Flannery, Kearra, Maire, Murriel, Rianne, Roanne, Shelagh, Adaira, Ailis, Caitriona, Catelin, Cathryne, Cearra, Dierdra, Edana, Eilis, Erinne, Kearney, Pegeen, Shavaughn, Sorcha, Abaigeal, Aibhlinn, Aileena, Bridie, Brigitt, Cheila, Creasie, Deidrea, Ethne, Madailein, Meaghen, Shivon, Tamlyn
Brothers: Ciarán, Seamus, Declan, Ronan, Eoin, Aidan, Brendan, Brennen, Conor, Desmond, Donn, Eamon, Egan, Finnian, Keelan, Keven, Kieran, Nigel, Rory, Shane, Brien, Caelan, Cavan, Eamonn, Farrell, Garvin, Hagan, Kevan, Kiernan, Kilian, Oneil, Oshea, Shamus, Briant, Dermot, Derrian, Donnovan, Dugan, Farrel, Fergus, Galvin, Keeghan, Keiron, Kieren, Kieron, Lochlann, Mannix, Padraic, Padraig, Shaughn, Sheamus, Shean, Broderic, Finan, Gearold, Gleason, Keefer, Keelen, Kerrick, Kienan, Leary, Maclane, Neill, Oniel, Paddy, Rafferty, Seanpatrick, Seanpaul, Tighe, Cregg, Desman, Aran, Brannen, Breandan, Colm, Conroy, Cormick, Cowan, Coyle, Dorin, Keanon, Kiven, Lochlin, Manus, Maurya, Neilan, Ranen
