"God is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew via Latin
Language: Welsh
Sion
Does Sion flow with your last name?
Wales's ancient form of John — pronounced Shon, spelled with soul
Welsh
British
Traditional
Strong
Classic
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"Yahweh has shown favor"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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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.
Historical Record
Sion first appeared in US Social Security records in 1971.
Over 736 babies have been named Sion in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sion is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,680 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#3,680
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Sion
S
Siôn Cent
Writer
15th-century Welsh mystical poet known for elegies and spiritual verse in the Welsh bardic tradition
S
Siôn Probert
Other
Welsh-language television presenter and broadcaster known for presenting on S4C, the Welsh-language channel
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, British heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, British heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, Welsh heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, strong style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, British heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, Welsh heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sion
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Sion is also used as a girl name, ranked #51991.
View Sion as a girl name →Similar Names
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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.
What boy names are similar to Sion?
Are there other spellings for Sion?
Related spellings include Sione.
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.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis