Sion

Boy Name #3,680 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

Wales's ancient form of John — pronounced Shon, spelled with soul

Welsh British

Traditional Strong Classic Minimalist

Meaning & Origin

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew via Latin

Language: Welsh

"Yahweh has shown favor"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

Things to Know About This Name

Non-Welsh speakers frequently mispronounce as 'see-on' rather than 'Shon'

The Story of Sion

Siôn (often spelled Sion in English contexts) is the Welsh form of John, which traces back through Latin Iohannes and Greek Ioannes to the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' Siôn has been used in Wales since the medieval period and is the traditional Welsh equivalent of the enormously popular John. Like Sean in Irish, Siôn diverges dramatically in pronunciation from its spelling — it is said 'SHON.'

Siôn is a classic Welsh boys' name that has remained steady within Wales, particularly in Welsh-speaking communities in north and west Wales. Outside Wales, it is rare and considered distinctly Welsh in character, much as Seán or Eoin signal Irish heritage.

In Wales, Siôn is deeply traditional and appears throughout Welsh history and literature. Siôn Cent was a famous 15th-century Welsh poet. The Welsh name day tradition and the Welsh Language Act of 1993, which elevated Welsh to official status, helped sustain traditional names like Siôn.

Fun Facts

Siôn Cent was a celebrated 15th-century Welsh mystical poet
The circumflex accent in Siôn (ô) indicates a long vowel in Welsh, which is why the name sounds so different from its spelling to English speakers

Sion in Other Languages

Irish Seán

Latin Iohannes

Welsh Siôn

Hebrew יוחנן

Scottish Gaelic Iain

Famous People Named Sion

Siôn Cent

Writer

15th-century Welsh mystical poet known for elegies and spiritual verse in the Welsh bardic tradition

Siôn Probert

Other

Welsh-language television presenter and broadcaster known for presenting on S4C, the Welsh-language channel

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #3,680
Total SSA Count: 31
Cultural Origins: Welsh British
Pronunciation: Hard
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Alternative Spellings

Sione #3969

Pairs Well With

Sion Rhys Sion Emrys Sion Wyn Sion Morgan Sion Gareth Sion Huw

Sibling Names

Rhys Emrys Gwenllian Seren Aled Bethan Rhodri

Also a Girl Name

Sion is also used as a girl name, ranked #51991.

View Sion as a girl name →

Similar Names

John Jhon Jon Joao Sean Shawn Shane Shaun

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sion

What does the name Sion mean?

"God is gracious" (from Hebrew via Latin). "Yahweh has shown favor" (from Hebrew). Siôn (often spelled Sion in English contexts) is the Welsh form of John, which traces back through Latin Iohannes and Greek Ioannes to the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' Siôn has been used in Wales since the medieval period and is the traditional Welsh equivalent of the enormously popular John. Like Sean in Irish, Siôn diverges dramatically in pronunciation from its spelling — it is said 'SHON.'

What is the origin of the name Sion?

Sion has Hebrew via Latin, Hebrew, Welsh, and British origins. In Hebrew via Latin, it means "God is gracious". In Hebrew, it means "Yahweh has shown favor".

Is Sion a boy or girl name?

Sion is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3680. As a girl name, it is ranked #51991. Sion is more commonly used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Sion?

Sion is currently ranked #3680 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Sion?

Popular middle name pairings include Sion Rhys, Sion Emrys, Sion Wyn, Sion Morgan, Sion Gareth, and Sion Huw.

What are good sibling names for Sion?

Names that pair well with Sion as siblings include Rhys, Emrys, Gwenllian, Seren, Aled, Bethan, and Rhodri.

How many syllables does Sion have?

Sion has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Sion a common or rare name?

Sion is an uncommon name, ranked #3680 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Sion

Sion is a boy name with Welsh and British origins . The name means "God is gracious" in Hebrew via Latin .

Is Sion a boy or girl name? Sion is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,680 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #51,991. Sion is more commonly used as a boy name.

Sion is currently ranked #3,680 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Sion has 1 syllable, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Sion include Sione . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.