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Seonaid

Girl name · 224 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Seonaid: 224 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 15 births in 1987.

Seonaid is the Scottish Gaelic form of Janet, itself a medieval diminutive of Jane, which comes from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." While less common outside Scotland, the name enjoys quiet cultural weight through Saint Seonaid, an early Scottish Christian figure, though historical details are sparse. Notably, the writer Seonaid Robertson, a mid-20th-century folklorist, helped preserve Gaelic traditions through her work. The name shares its root with the more familiar Sinead, the Irish Gaelic equivalent, and is sometimes anglicized as Sheena. In modern Scotland, Seonaid remains a distinctive choice, carrying a gentle, lyrical sound that connects directly to the country’s Gaelic heritage.