"wild searcher, long seeker"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Sheridan
Pronunciation: [ sh-EHR-ihd-uhn ]
A spirited Irish surname name with literary flair
Irish
English
American
Vintage
Literary
Sophisticated
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"descendant of Sirideán"
Origin: Irish Ó Sirideáin
Language: English
The Story of Sheridan
Sheridan derives from the Irish surname Ó Sirideáin, meaning descendant of Sirideán. The personal name Sirideán is thought to derive from the old Irish word sír meaning long, persistent, or seeking combined with a diminutive suffix, giving the approximate meaning of wild searcher or long-lived seeker. As a given name, Sheridan has historically been used for both boys and girls, though it has skewed more feminine in recent decades.
Sheridan gained profile as a given name through General Philip Henry Sheridan, the famed Union cavalry commander, whose surname was subsequently used as a first name by admirers. The playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan also lent literary prestige to the name. For girls, Sheridan began gaining traction in the 1990s-2000s as parents explored Irish surnames as first names.
The name is deeply rooted in Irish culture through the prominent Sheridan family and their descendants in America. Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) was one of the greatest Irish playwrights, author of The School for Scandal. General Philip Sheridan became an iconic American military figure whose name spread the surname as a first name across the US.
Fun Facts
- Richard Brinsley Sheridan wrote The School for Scandal, one of the most performed plays in theatrical history
- General Philip Sheridan's famous quote was the origin of the phrase the only good Indian is a dead Indian — parents should be aware of his complicated historical legacy
Sheridan in Other Languages
Irish
Ó Sirideáin
French
Sheridan
German
Sheridan
Italian
Sheridan
Spanish
Sheridan
Popularity Over Time
#6,159
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2001
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Sheridan
N
Nicollette Sheridan
Actor
1963
British-American actress known for her role as Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives
R
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Writer
1751
Irish playwright and politician, author of The School for Scandal and The Rivals
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #6,159
- Total SSA Count
- 20
- Cultural Origins
- Irish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Sheri
Sher
Sherry
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Sheridan fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Sheridan is also used as a boy name, ranked #19865.
View Sheridan as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Sheridan →Compare Sheridan with...
Same Origin Names (Irish)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Sheridan and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Sheridan sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Sheridan
What does the name Sheridan mean?
"wild searcher, long seeker" (from Irish Gaelic). "descendant of Sirideán" (from Irish Ó Sirideáin). Sheridan derives from the Irish surname Ó Sirideáin, meaning descendant of Sirideán. The personal name Sirideán is thought to derive from the old Irish word sír meaning long, persistent, or seeking combined with a diminutive suffix, giving the approximate meaning of wild searcher or long-lived seeker. As a given name, Sheridan has historically been used for both boys and girls, though it has skewed more feminine in recent decades.
What is the origin of the name Sheridan?
Sheridan has Irish Gaelic, Irish Ó Sirideáin, Irish, English, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "wild searcher, long seeker". In Irish Ó Sirideáin, it means "descendant of Sirideán".
Is Sheridan a boy or girl name?
Sheridan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #6159. As a boy name, it is ranked #19865. Sheridan is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Sheridan?
Sheridan is pronounced sh-EHR-ihd-uhn.
How popular is the name Sheridan?
Sheridan is currently ranked #6159 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sheridan?
Common nicknames for Sheridan include Sheri, Sher, and Sherry.
What are good middle names for Sheridan?
Popular middle name pairings include Sheridan Grace, Sheridan Lane, Sheridan Elise, Sheridan Mae, and Sheridan Kate.
What are good sibling names for Sheridan?
Names that pair well with Sheridan as siblings include Rowan, Quinn, Sullivan, Cormac, Tierney, and Callum.
How many syllables does Sheridan have?
Sheridan has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Sheridan a common or rare name?
Sheridan is an uncommon name, ranked #6159 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Sheridan
Sheridan is a girl name with Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "wild searcher, long seeker" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Sheridan a boy or girl name? Sheridan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #6,159 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,865. Sheridan is more commonly used as a girl name.
Sheridan is currently ranked #6,159 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Sheridan has 3 syllables and is pronounced sh-EHR-ihd-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Sheridan include Sheri, Sher, and Sherry. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Sheridan include Sherlyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.