Sheonagh
Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Sheonagh: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 1976.
Originating as a Scottish Gaelic variant of Siobhán, itself the Scottish and Irish form of Joan, Sheonagh ultimately derives from the Hebrew Yochana, meaning “God is gracious.” Though less common than its anglicised counterpart Shona, it retains a distinctly Highland character. Notable bearers include Sheonagh MacLeod, a revered nurse and care-home matron in the Western Isles, and Sheonagh Harcus, a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician who served on Orkney Islands Council. No major places bear the name directly, but its root appears in many place names across Scotland and Ireland via saints’ dedications. A further note: Sheonagh is often pronounced “SHOW-nah,” mirroring Shona, though some speakers soften the “gh” to a silent form, making it closer to “SHEE-nah” – a subtle reminder of Gaelic’s regional variations.
Girl 1 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 19763 babies
- Latest (1976)
- #5163 babies
- Total births
- 3since 1976
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y