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Meaning
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I knew of someone in school called Sian and hers was pronounced like, 'SHAHN'. It's such a pretty name.
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My name is Sian and I'm from northern England, now in Canada. My mum also has a Welsh name and chose this one for her first daughter (me!) I can't count the amount of times she argued with Canadians about how to pronounce my name.
How the boy's name is "Shohn" and my name "Shahn" but people almost never got it lol
Most people butcher my name and some don't even try. At Starbucks my drink got called out followed by "For...A Special Person?" I also get people asking if my name is Irish all the time. I also had a woman with the same spelling come in and I was so happy until she said in a very Canadian accent that her name was Sharn with a hard R. I know some people add a small r in there but this was a lot lol. I've only met one other woman who had the same spelling and pronunciation and we high fived. Was a good day.
Love my name even with the teasing. Plan to carry the odd name tradition and have a girl named Saoirse.
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How the boy's name is "Shohn" and my name "Shahn" but people almost never got it lol
Most people butcher my name and some don't even try. At Starbucks my drink got called out followed by "For...A Special Person?" I also get people asking if my name is Irish all the time. I also had a woman with the same spelling come in and I was so happy until she said in a very Canadian accent that her name was Sharn with a hard R. I know some people add a small r in there but this was a lot lol. I've only met one other woman who had the same spelling and pronunciation and we high fived. Was a good day.
Love my name even with the teasing. Plan to carry the odd name tradition and have a girl named Saoirse.
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My name is Sian -- in my case, pronounced "Shee•in with a natural "y" joining the syllables, like Ian; "Shhh, Ian!" is how I help people know what I mean -- American-Irish by blood, and my understanding is that it meant, "maiden/girl." My grandmother fell in love with the name when she visited Ireland, gathering our heritage information, and this was the consensus and pronunciation in Kerry, where part of my family immigrated from (others from a tiny, Gaelic-speaking, non-Catholic island off the coast). Dialect differences, perhaps?
My mom was also a fan of Sian Phillips. ;)
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My mom was also a fan of Sian Phillips. ;)
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We named our daughter Sian (see-ann). She is Chinese Australian. Sian is a Chinese name here with Si with meaning think and An peace/familarity. We like that it is also an Anglo name as she lives in this mainly Anglo country.
It's true the name might be mispronounced but as some mentioned it's a perfect conversation ice breaker.
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It's true the name might be mispronounced but as some mentioned it's a perfect conversation ice breaker.
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I am a Chinese Sian, but mostly Filipino, and living in America. Sian came from my paternal line, which has Chinese in it. Unlike what everyone thinks, for me, it's pronounced like "Shawn". I get called Shi-ahn, sigh-ann, and sometimes even shaw-un. Edit: Sian is my LAST name, not FIRST.
I like it, and I believe it MAY originate from the old Chinese city named "Xi-an" and Sian would seem like a more fitting English version.
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I like it, and I believe it MAY originate from the old Chinese city named "Xi-an" and Sian would seem like a more fitting English version.
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My name is Sian without a little roof. I am American. I always pronounced it Sean. I hate being called Shawna, hate even more being called sigh-ann. I learned to answer to all of them though. I actually don't get called Shane a lot. My economics professor used to call me Shane which confused me because there actually was a guy named Shane in the class who she called Sian. Lol.
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I'm an American Sian. Mine is pronounced like Shawn.
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I am called Siân because my dad is Welsh but I am Australian and the most annoying thing about my name is how people pronounce it. When at school and the role is being marked the teacher either says cee-ann or Sharn and when they say Sharn I feel so happy because I didn't want to go the awkward moment of saying my name over and over again until they get it right. Something even worse is that when I meet someone new and I say my name they don't hear me properly and ask if I said Charlotte and then I repeat myself and they say something even more stupid and finally say my name properly. One good thing is my science teacher gives me mars bars for mispronouncing my name.
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I am a proud Siân complete with circumflex. It is Jane in English but I think it is much prettier as it is. It is pronounced SHARN and means God's Gift.
It does tend to drive me to distraction when I'm called variants such as Shaun, Si-ann or Cee-ann or 100 other ways people struggle to pronounce it without doing the most straight forward thing and, erm, ask!
The other thing that does upset me is when I'm labelled as a man. Now that does annoy me, but otherwise I'm a happy bunny as it is now becoming more popular and well known.
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It does tend to drive me to distraction when I'm called variants such as Shaun, Si-ann or Cee-ann or 100 other ways people struggle to pronounce it without doing the most straight forward thing and, erm, ask!
The other thing that does upset me is when I'm labelled as a man. Now that does annoy me, but otherwise I'm a happy bunny as it is now becoming more popular and well known.
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I named my youngest daughter Siân too but we live in Germany; which makes it interesting but both components are there in German (the sch from Schiff and ahn from Autobahn. Some of the Dutch (so Belgians too) like to pronounce it as Sea-Anne, very irritating but they can manage when using the German analogy above. For English speakers, I just write down "sharn" and use the "barn" analogy as others have mentioned. Back home in N. Wales where I came from, we have no trouble at all, English, Welsh or folks from Eire.
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My grandaughter is called Sián and she is called all sorts of names. Being Irish born a lot of people seem to call her Sean. She loves her name as do I.
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Basically what is confusing for people is that people from the UK and people from the US have very different accents. Now, while the consonants in both varieties of English are more or less consistent, the vowels are actually really quite different in many cases:
A little FYI: a way to make the "sh" sound in Welsh is "si" and to make the "sh" in Irish, it's "se" so:
Siân = si+â+n = sh-ah-n
Seán = se+á+n = sh-aw-n
A UK "Siân" sounds almost the same as a US "Seán".
A UK "Seán" sounds to like a US "shorn" (go light on the /r/)
A US "Seán" sounds like a UK "shan" (think of the "shan" in the word "shan't")
If a UK person tells a US person that "Siân" rhymes with "man", it's gonna make it sound funny.
A US person says "man" like "May-Ann" to UK ears, so the name would come out sounding like "Shay-Ann".
Conclusion - it's all a bit confusing.
But - I may have a work-around... everyone has seen "Frozen" right? If US speakers try to say "Siân" with the same vowel as "Princess Anna" then you're probably pretty close.
Think of the way some US speakers say "pecan", like "pecahhhn" instead of "pecayan".
Hope that helps :)
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A little FYI: a way to make the "sh" sound in Welsh is "si" and to make the "sh" in Irish, it's "se" so:
Siân = si+â+n = sh-ah-n
Seán = se+á+n = sh-aw-n
A UK "Siân" sounds almost the same as a US "Seán".
A UK "Seán" sounds to like a US "shorn" (go light on the /r/)
A US "Seán" sounds like a UK "shan" (think of the "shan" in the word "shan't")
If a UK person tells a US person that "Siân" rhymes with "man", it's gonna make it sound funny.
A US person says "man" like "May-Ann" to UK ears, so the name would come out sounding like "Shay-Ann".
Conclusion - it's all a bit confusing.
But - I may have a work-around... everyone has seen "Frozen" right? If US speakers try to say "Siân" with the same vowel as "Princess Anna" then you're probably pretty close.
Think of the way some US speakers say "pecan", like "pecahhhn" instead of "pecayan".
Hope that helps :)
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My name is Siân-Elin. My name always gets confused with Shawn or Siôn, especially when that certain person is English. I live in Wales so it's not really a problem that much but it still gets annoying. I love my name and everything but it gets on my nerves because when I was in high school, if a new teacher would call me Shawn, everyone would laugh and my name would change for a day. I do like my name though and I just hope there's more mature people in college, haha!
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I would guess if you are an American naming your child that in America, Sian with no punctuation mark above the A it would be pronounced (Sigh an) the rule is when 2 vowels go out walking the first one does the talking!
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Hi, I am a Siân living in Canada too!
My mom is Welsh, and I do officially have the hat above the A, but I haven't always used it. I suppose it has felt pretentious to me at times, but now reading this thread I think that is silly of me to look at it that way and I will write my circumflex with pride! ;)
I was travelling in Europe when I was younger and met a Welsh boy who admonished me for pronouncing my own name wrong - this was actually my first realization that Sean and Siân were pronounced differently. Without a British accent, it felt strange to pronounce Siân the way it "should" be pronounced. I was saying it like Shawn, and saying it like Shahn or Sharn (light on the R) felt like I was "putting on" a British accent. I don't worry about it too much and I don't mind people saying my name wrong or having to explain/correct them. I actually find it a fun talking point/ice breaker :) My name bothered me when I was little because it was so different, but now I love it :)
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My mom is Welsh, and I do officially have the hat above the A, but I haven't always used it. I suppose it has felt pretentious to me at times, but now reading this thread I think that is silly of me to look at it that way and I will write my circumflex with pride! ;)
I was travelling in Europe when I was younger and met a Welsh boy who admonished me for pronouncing my own name wrong - this was actually my first realization that Sean and Siân were pronounced differently. Without a British accent, it felt strange to pronounce Siân the way it "should" be pronounced. I was saying it like Shawn, and saying it like Shahn or Sharn (light on the R) felt like I was "putting on" a British accent. I don't worry about it too much and I don't mind people saying my name wrong or having to explain/correct them. I actually find it a fun talking point/ice breaker :) My name bothered me when I was little because it was so different, but now I love it :)
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I'm loving this thread! My name is Siân, my Mum is from Cardiff and we live in Canada. She's always told me Siân means Jane "God's gracious gift". With her Welsh accent she pronounces it "Sh-ahn", which rhymes with barn or "B-ahn". So in my Canadian accent I always clarify it by saying Siân "sharn" rhymes with barn. It's a great ice breaker and I'm always sure when someone doesn't know me on the phone. Nice to meet you, Ladies!
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I've looked through quite a few of the previous comments about this name and there is only one other who has the same pronunciation as me. I'm from Australia and my name is pronounced See-arn ('arn' like 'barn'). Almost no one can pronounce it properly on the first go, but I admit I love it because it is so unique, and I have never met another Sian.
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My name is Sian I'm actually Irish but I don't pronounce it like it should be pronounced. When I was born my mother saw the name in a newspaper. When she read it her automatic pronunciation of the name was (see-Ann). I've had trouble correcting people all my life, I've been called all sorts of names but I do like the fact that it is unique.
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Most people that are named with this name have it pronounced sharn/see-anne/shawn/c-en but if that wasn't hard enough, my mother has it pronounced see-arn and it kills me!
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My name is Siân and I'm just starting secondary school. Because my name is so uncommon, when teachers first see the name they pronounce it Sean or see-ann. To be honest, I'm thinking of just telling people I've never met before to just call me Jane!
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I personally hate the name Sian. It is my name, and it means princess of light. It is very short and snappy. In Welsh it means Jane, in Wales it is nearly the same, you just spell it with a hat on the a. And I think that's about it. X Sian X.
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This name Siân is amazing but the problem is that not a lot of people know how to spell it or say it. I get called Sain or Sean in class, but after a few years of it you get used to it. Most people say if their name is Siân that they can't find their name on key rings. I was so happy when I went to Wales thinking that I would find my name, and I did! So if you can't find your name, you will.
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HI all, my name sianne, its spelt different to the welsh way and people really get confused with is and I get called allsorts, it's not recognized anywhere. I sometimes get called si-anne or sean. Its spelt different as my mother didn't like the original way of spelling Sian. When I was younger I really wanted to change my name to a more common name, but now I have learnt to like it.
I agree I have to tell people how to say my name and how it is spelled which I feel rather rude, I was very upset as a child when everyone else had pens or key rings with their name on and I couldn't find anything. But I like the idea that it means princess of the light.
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I agree I have to tell people how to say my name and how it is spelled which I feel rather rude, I was very upset as a child when everyone else had pens or key rings with their name on and I couldn't find anything. But I like the idea that it means princess of the light.
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You pronounce it like Sharn but don't over do the r. Also use the circumflex (â) (this isn't compulsory but I'd use it in wales unless you want to be called sighanne) also if you're thinking of naming your child sián they will have to put up with telling everyone the spelling and pronunciation most of their life. Most shops are completely oblivious to the name siân unless you're in Wales so they won't have it on a keyring or anything of the sort unless you get it personally made. On the other hand I find having a name like this is quite unusual and different. it's rather exciting to be called Sian it also means "the princess of light" in welsh -Sian.
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I had a friend whose family was of Welsh descent, and this was her middle name as well as her mother's first name. (Neither of them spelled it with the accent, though.) Anyway, they pronounced it like 'Shan', rhyming with 'van'.
But there was a teacher at a school of mine who was Welsh-American, and she was also named Siân; however, she would tell everyone to pronounce it like 'Sean'.
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But there was a teacher at a school of mine who was Welsh-American, and she was also named Siân; however, she would tell everyone to pronounce it like 'Sean'.
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I'm British and my mum's name is pronounced an odd way (sea-anne). It all comes down to when her mum saw somebody pronounce Sian Phillips' name that way on the TV and thought it was some unique, fashionable name. Grandmas can be strange like that.
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My name is Sian also but my circumflex is above the I, maybe my name is just another variation but it is also pronounced sharn with the same inflexion as it is when spelled witht the circumflex above the A.
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I was born in England by English parents but came to the USA when I was 12 my entire life my name has been mis-pronounced for over 50 years. Had I grown up in England I'm sure it would have been different. I hated my name for years because no one has ever said it right. I named my children short simple names because of this so that they would never have their name pronounced incorrectly.
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I'm a Siân myself, and I have come to love the name, but do be prepared for it to be continually butchered (at least if you live in the US). Throughout my life I have learned that when the teacher stops and gets a desperate look on their face, just raise your hand.
My favorite mis-reading is Stan. I get it fairly often here in the states.
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My favorite mis-reading is Stan. I get it fairly often here in the states.
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I'm from North Wales and was always led to believe that it meant Jane.
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As this is my middle name, I could be biased and say that it is a rather nice name. And for that reason, I will. It is a beautiful name, but being CymryCymraeg [A Welsh Welshwoman to you non-Cymros!] I have never had it confused with Sean, Shawn, but I have had it confused with Sion, [with a circumflex, naturally for the elongated vowel], but this is largely due to my illegible handwriting than anything else.
I feel that my middle name is fairly cool, de to the fact that most of my friends were given the typical 80's fashion names, when my 'rents went traditional instead, so in some respects, it is a unique name. My friend was given the name Sian[with circumflex]-Elin. A beautiful, simple name.
I also have a Thai friend who spells her name SIAN [no circumflex], but pronounces it CYAN [as in the colour] I feel this is perfectly adequate, but many people forget she's half Thai, and accuse her of saying her name wrong!
This name is brilliant, and I am a very proud bearer. Thanks Mam and Dad!
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I feel that my middle name is fairly cool, de to the fact that most of my friends were given the typical 80's fashion names, when my 'rents went traditional instead, so in some respects, it is a unique name. My friend was given the name Sian[with circumflex]-Elin. A beautiful, simple name.
I also have a Thai friend who spells her name SIAN [no circumflex], but pronounces it CYAN [as in the colour] I feel this is perfectly adequate, but many people forget she's half Thai, and accuse her of saying her name wrong!
This name is brilliant, and I am a very proud bearer. Thanks Mam and Dad!
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Siân Jenkins-Lawson, visual effects
Siân Evans, costume and wardrobe
Siân Williams, producer and editor
Siân Heder, actress
and many more.
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Siân Evans, costume and wardrobe
Siân Williams, producer and editor
Siân Heder, actress
and many more.
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This is my middle name and I always hated it, thinking it was plain and boring but I thought it was spelled Sian. When I looked in my baby-book I realised it had a circumflex above the A and suddenly I loved my name! It seems so much more exotic.
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This was the name of an old friend of mine, pronounced like SHARN. I think it's a very pretty name, but be warned that your child will spend years at school having her name bungled by teachers- SHAWN/SEAN and SY-AN seem to be favourites.
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Pronounced SHAAN - it's one syllable. Also, the ^ circumflex is essential in Wales, or you end up with SHAN.
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I know a Sian and she goes only by Sia (say-ah) or Sasha exept in formal occasions.
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A famous bearer is Welsh actress Siân Phillips.
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I read through all of this and I still don't know how to pronounce it. I thought it was just like "Sean". Now I'm confused?
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Sian was also the name of a character in a Welsh legend - Sian Tywyn. She was said to have had healing powers, most notably of these was her power to improve peoples' sight.
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Something to bear in mind if you are thinking of calling your daughter Siân - they will have to put up with people mispronouncing it all the time (unless they live in Wales that is!). I'm forever having my name pronounced Sye-Anne or See-Anne, or worse still Sean (Shawn).
But I agree with what someone else has written on here - it's nice to have a name that is still fairly unusual and it is often a conversation starter (albeit, if only to correct people on their pronunciation of it or to tell them no, it's not Irish or French!).
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But I agree with what someone else has written on here - it's nice to have a name that is still fairly unusual and it is often a conversation starter (albeit, if only to correct people on their pronunciation of it or to tell them no, it's not Irish or French!).
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My daughter's name is Sian and being from South Wales we always believed the name to be "Jane". We named our daughter Sian Jeanette. A further clarification of the name would be appreciated.
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This is my middle name. I don't use the ^ above the 'a' when I write my name, however. I think it looks a bit over-the-top.
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I hate when people pronounce it See-ann Sigh-ann! My mom's guide to teaching Americans to pronounce my name when I was little was always "It sounds like 'sha na na' not like 'fawn'"
It took a fair amount of explaining since "Shawna" was a very popular name when I was a kid.
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It took a fair amount of explaining since "Shawna" was a very popular name when I was a kid.
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There is a girl I know who pronounces her name like SYE-ANN.
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I'm called Sian (with the circumflex above the a), and love the name. I'm also Welsh, and it gives me a real sense of my heritage and identity. I've only ever had one problem with its pronunciation, and that was due to the similarity by Sean and Sian when said with an American accent!
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Famous Bearer: supermodel Sian Abbott. Appearing on runways and magazine covers frequently, Sian has built quite a resume over her relatively short career.
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I love my name but unfortunately not very many people can say it properly. And now living in Belguim makes matters worse, I am often called Sean, or Jean, which is French for John. It's an icebreaker though when starting up a conversation with someone new.
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Sian is a character in Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Avalon" series. She is the daughter of Ganeda, and mother of Dierna and Becca.
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Sian happens to be my name. I don't spell it with 'a roof'. I find it's quite often mis-read as Sean, which is rather annoying but I like my name. It's unique, I'm the only Sian in my school of 1500 pupils!
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The circumflex is known as a 'to bach' in Welsh, this translates as 'little roof'. This lengthens the vowel sound to 'ar'. I think it would be better phonetically written as 'Sharn'.
In France people often think you're saying that your name is John as there pronunciation of John is similar to Siân. And a lot of people think it's an Irish boys name rather than a Welsh girls name.
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In France people often think you're saying that your name is John as there pronunciation of John is similar to Siân. And a lot of people think it's an Irish boys name rather than a Welsh girls name.
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The name Sian in Welsh can mean "princess of light". The wee hat above the a is called a circumflex.
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Sian is actually spelt "Siân"-- that is, using an A with a 'roof' over it (I can't remember the proper name for that, sorry). This is because that particular A, in Welsh, makes the vowel long; the pronunciation isn't 'SHAN', but more at 'SHAHN' (though in an American accent of course, this would pretty much just sound the same as Sean). [noted -ed]
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