Comments for the name Siân

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]

The name Sian in Welsh can mean "princess of light". The wee hat above the a is called a circumflex.

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.

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!

Sian is a character in Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Avalon" series. She is the daughter of Ganeda, and mother of Dierna and Becca.

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.

Famous Bearer: supermodel Sian Abbott. Appearing on runways and magazine covers frequently, Sian has built quite a resume over her relatively short career.

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!

There is a girl I know who pronounces her name like SYE-ANN.

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.

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.

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.

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!).

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.

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?

A famous bearer is Welsh actress Siân Phillips.

I know a Sian and she goes only by Sia (say-ah) or Sasha exept in formal occasions.

Pronounced SHAAN - it's one syllable. Also, the ^ circumflex is essential in Wales, or you end up with SHAN.

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.

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.

Siân Jenkins-Lawson, visual effects
Siân Evans, costume and wardrobe
Siân Williams, producer and editor
Siân Heder, actress
and many more.

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!

I'm from North Wales and was always led to believe that it meant Jane.

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.

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.

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.